BEACON Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it aims to bring an additional layer of accountability and transparency to the Executive Office of the President, a critical part of the government that currently lacks a dedicated, independent internal watchdog. If this becomes law, there would be a formal office specifically tasked with rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse within the White House's immediate operational staff and offices, potentially improving the efficiency and integrity of presidential operations.

Without this bill, there continues to be no dedicated Inspector General specifically overseeing the Executive Office of the President, meaning potential issues in that branch might go unexamined by an independent entity. While the bill includes provisions allowing the President to limit certain sensitive investigations, it also requires public notification to Congress if such limitations occur, creating a mechanism for public awareness and congressional oversight of those decisions.

KEY PROVISIONS

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Establishes a new Inspector General (IG) office within the Executive Office of the President (EOP).

This creates a dedicated, independent watchdog specifically for the President's immediate staff and offices, which currently lack one.

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Gives the President the power to prohibit the EOP IG from conducting or completing certain audits or investigations if they involve highly sensitive information (like confidential sources or intelligence matters).

This creates a specific carve-out for presidential authority over sensitive information, potentially balancing oversight with national security concerns.

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Requires the President to notify the EOP IG and then Congress (key committees) within 30 days if an investigation is prohibited under the special provisions.

This ensures transparency and congressional awareness when the President exercises the power to limit an IG investigation.

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Requires the EOP IG to submit semiannual reports to the President and then to Congress, including a certification of whether the IG had full access to information.

These reports provide regular updates to Congress and the public on the EOP IG's activities and any issues encountered with accessing information.

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Mandates an annual audit of the EOP IG's office by the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).

This ensures that the new watchdog office itself is functioning effectively and upholding its oversight responsibilities.

DEADLINES & DATES

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An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act

President shall appoint an individual as the Inspector General of the Executive Office of the President.

Not later than 30 days after exercising any such power

President shall notify the Inspector General of the Executive Office of the President in writing, stating the reasons for exercising power to prohibit an audit/investigation/subpoena.

Not later than 30 days after receiving a notice

Inspector General of the Executive Office of the President shall transmit a copy of the notice (from the President regarding a prohibition) to Congress.

Not later than April 30 and October 31 of each year

Inspector General of the Executive Office of the President shall submit semiannual reports to the President.

Not later than 30 days after submitting the semiannual report to the President

Inspector General of the Executive Office of the President shall transmit semiannual reports to Congress.

Not later than 120 days after the President appoints an individual as the Inspector General, and annually thereafter

Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall conduct an audit of the Office of the Inspector General of the Executive Office of the President.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Inspector General Act of 1978: A federal law that created Inspector General offices in various government agencies to audit and investigate their operations for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Executive Office of the President (EOP): The collection of agencies and offices that directly support the President's work, such as the White House Office, National Security Council, and Office of Management and Budget.
Inspector General (IG): A high-ranking official within a government agency whose job is to independently investigate and audit the agency's programs and operations to prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement.
Audit: An official examination of an organization's accounts, records, or procedures to verify accuracy or efficiency.
Investigation: A formal inquiry or examination to discover and examine the facts of an incident, accusation, or complaint.
Subpoena: A written legal order requiring a person to appear in court or provide documents.
Semiannual Report: A report issued twice a year, summarizing the activities and findings of the Inspector General's office.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JUL 9, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

JUL 9, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

INTROREFERRAL

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Committee Referrals

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs CommitteeReferred

Jul 9, 2025

senate

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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BEACON Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

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BEACON Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

BEACON Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

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