OIG conducts independent audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations to promote economy and efficiency and to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the programs and operations of the Department of State (Department) and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). OIG’s mandate is broad and comprehensive, involving oversight of the full scope of Department and USAGM programs and operations, including more than 80,000 employees and more than 279 overseas missions and broadcasting networks, as well as the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). These agencies are funded through approximately $14 billion in combined annual appropriations and $10.3 billion in earned revenue from consular fees and other income. OIG also is responsible for full or partial oversight of an additional $30.6 billion in Department-managed foreign assistance. In total, OIG conducts oversight of more than $89 billion in Department and USAGM programs and operations.
OIG Quick Facts OIG Frequently Asked Questions
Vision
We inspire public trust in the advancement of U.S. foreign affairs.
Mission
We foster efficiency and effectiveness in U.S. foreign affairs through meaningful, independent oversight and investigations.
Values
Trust
We are reliable and impartial, instilling confidence in all we do.
Respect
We model civility and embrace differences, forging a collaborative environment.
Accountability
We are credible and transparent in our work, holding ourselves and the agencies we oversee to the highest standards.
Integrity
We are honest, objective, and principled, advancing ethical conduct by doing the right thing, even when it is hard.
Learning
We seek continuous improvement in ourselves and our work, empowering professional growth and development.
History
The Inspector General Act was signed into law in 1978, establishing the first 12 presidentially appointed Inspectors General in federal agencies. There are now more than 70 statutory IGs, both presidentially appointed and appointed by agency heads. Collectively, they oversee the operations of nearly all aspects of federal government.
The Foreign Service Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-465) established a presidentially appointed Inspector General of the Department of State and the Foreign Service, conferring on this Inspector General many of the duties and authorities found in the Inspector General Act of 1978, as well as some that are unique to this agency. For instance, Section 209 of the 1980 Act requires the Inspector General to audit and inspect each Foreign Service post and each bureau of the Department at least every 5 years. In doing this work, the Inspector General must examine several issues. Among these are an examination of “whether policy goals and objectives are being effectively achieved and whether the interests of the United States are being accurately and effectively represented.”
The current Department of State OIG was created in 1986, when Section 413(a) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-399) directed the Secretary of State to immediately establish an OIG with an Inspector General who could exercise authorities set forth in both the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and the Inspector General Act of 1978.
In 1996, the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134) merged the United States Information Agency OIG with the Department of State OIG. At that time, the Department of State OIG began providing oversight of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (now known as the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)).
In 2013, Congress created the Lead Inspector General role in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239). Through that legislation, the Department of State OIG, along with the Department of War and USAID OIGs, became responsible for oversight of overseas contingency operations lasting more than 60 days.
OIG is currently responsible for the oversight of the U.S. Department of State, USAGM, and U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) programs and operations.
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