FALCON Act of 2025

## Summary The FALCON Act of 2025 aims to strengthen oversight of federal agencies by legally requiring cooperation with Inspector General (IG) investigations. It adds a new section (425) to Title 5 of the U.S. Code, mandating that agency employees, contractors, grantees, and political appointees comply with IG requests for information, interviews, or documents within 60 days. Failure to comply could result in disciplinary actions like suspension, removal, or contract termination, at the discretion of agency heads or the President. The bill also requires IGs to notify Congress and agency leadership within 30 days of identifying noncompliance, including details about the individual or entity involved, the request’s date, and its subject matter. This legislation seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in federal oversight by closing loopholes that allow delays or refusals to honor IG demands. ## Key Points - 60-day compliance deadline: Individuals or entities receiving IG requests must fulfill them within 60 days, including providing documents, interviews, or other assistance. - Administrative discipline for noncompliance: Agency heads or the President can impose penalties like unpaid suspension, removal, or contract actions on those who fail to comply. - Mandatory congressional notifications: IGs must report noncompliance to Congress and the agency head within 30 days, detailing who failed to comply, the request’s date, and its purpose. - Exclusions for sensitive information: Requests involving classified materials, grand jury secrecy, or information blocked by agency heads (e.g., Defense, Treasury, Justice, Homeland Security, or Energy departments) are exempt. - Agency policy updates: Agency leaders must issue written directives within 30 days of enactment to inform staff about the new compliance rules and potential penalties. ## Impact Areas - Federal agencies and personnel: Employees, contractors, and grantees must prioritize IG requests, facing direct consequences for delays or refusals. - Inspector General offices: IGs gain clearer legal authority to enforce compliance, improving their ability to conduct audits and investigations. - Congressional oversight: Lawmakers receive timely updates on noncompliance, enabling more effective legislative scrutiny and resource allocation for accountability measures.