WASHINGTON – Committee on House Administration Chairman Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) today held a hearing examining the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Office of Inspector General (IG). Following the hearing, Chairman Harper said:

“I thank our three witnesses, Architect Stephen Ayers, the new AOC’s IG Christopher Failla, and Beryl Davis from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for testifying before the committee this morning and discussing the challenges the AOC’s IG has faced over the last few years. Our committee has closely reviewed the GAO’s report that outlined several serious concerns within the Office of the AOC’s IG. Most alarming, the GAO found that over a four-year period from 2012 to 2015, the AOC’s IG completed only 14 audits, none of which included audits of large-scale projects, such as the Cannon House Office Building renovation which is currently ongoing. This is unacceptable.

“The IG must operate in a thorough and investigative manner to ensure that resources are being used appropriately within the AOC and understand the importance of controls and standards. I commend Mr. Failla on his initial efforts in his new role, and our committee looks forward to staying in close contact in the coming months. It is paramount that his focus remains on good governance to complete projects safely for Members of Congress, staff, and visitors around the Capitol Complex, all the while ensuring accountability and transparency are in place so the Architect and the Inspector General fulfill their statutory responsibilities.”

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