Where are the watchdogs?

Faced with record deficits and expanding federal responsibilities, politicians from President Barack Obama on down routinely talk about the need for transparency and accountability in government. At the same time, though, they've left more than a dozen of the government's top oversight jobs unfilled. Click here for a list of the current 73 federal or congressional agencies that hire independent watchdogs to guard against waste, fraud and abuse, protect whistleblowers, and audit the finances of the U.S. government. Some of these watchdogs are appointed by the president and others are independently hired by federal agencies. Currently, at least 15 of these jobs remain vacant, either because an appointee has not been named or confirmed by the Senate or because an acting career official has been named. At least 15 of the 73 inspectors general, chief auditors, or whistleblower protection jobs across government currently are vacant or are being covered by acting officials, according to a Center for Public Integrity review. Many of the openings have languished for a year or more. The State Department, for instance, has been without its chief watchdog since early 2008 when President George Bush's inspector general appointee resigned after a controversy involving investigations into spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. And the Central Intelligence Agency, often in the limelight with its sweeping spy powers, hasn't had a presidentially appointed inspector general since the most recent appointee retired in March 2009.