Summary of Bill S. 3026 - FALCON Act

Overview

The FALCON Act (Fast Action for Lawful Compliance with Oversight Needs Act of 2025) was introduced in the Senate on October 21, 2025, by Senator Richard Blumenthal. The bill aims to enhance the cooperation of federal agencies with requests from Inspectors General (IGs), thereby improving oversight and accountability within the federal government.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of the FALCON Act is to ensure that covered agencies comply with requests for information, access, or assistance made by Inspectors General. This legislation seeks to strengthen the oversight capabilities of IGs, which play a critical role in promoting efficiency and accountability in government operations.

Key Provisions

The FALCON Act proposes several important changes to Chapter 4 of Title 5 of the United States Code:

1. Definitions:

   • Covered Agency: Includes federal establishments and designated federal entities.
   • Covered Request: Refers to requests for information or assistance from IGs, excluding certain protected information.

2. Compliance Requirement:

   • Officers, employees, grant recipients, and contractors of covered agencies must comply with IG requests within 60 days of receipt.

3. Administrative Discipline:

   • Individuals or entities failing to comply with IG requests may face administrative actions, including:
     • Removal or suspension without pay.
     • Adverse contract actions.
   • The discretion for disciplinary actions lies with the head of the agency or the President for agency heads.

4. Notification of Noncompliance:

   • If an IG determines that a covered entity has failed to comply, they must notify the appropriate congressional committees and the agency head within 30 days. This notification will include details such as the job title of the noncompliant individual and the subject matter of the request.

5. Agency Directives:

   • Within 30 days of enactment, agency heads must inform all personnel about the compliance requirements and potential disciplinary actions for noncompliance.

6. Technical Amendments:

   • The bill includes amendments to the table of sections for Chapter 4 of Title 5 to incorporate the new section on cooperation with IG requests.

Impact

The FALCON Act is expected to:
- Enhance the effectiveness of Inspectors General in conducting audits and investigations.
- Promote accountability within federal agencies by ensuring timely responses to oversight requests.
- Potentially deter noncompliance through the establishment of clear disciplinary measures.

Legislative Actions

• October 21, 2025: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for further consideration.

Conclusion

The FALCON Act represents a significant step towards improving governmental oversight by mandating cooperation with Inspectors General. By enforcing compliance and establishing consequences for noncompliance, the bill aims to foster a culture of accountability within federal agencies.