Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2181
Last Updated: September 9, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

ID: C001078

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Bell asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2181, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

September 8, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. The "Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025" - because what this country really needs is more protection for bureaucrats with a bad case of moral rectitude.

Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**New regulations being created or modified:** The bill amends chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, to establish a "for-cause removal standard" for Inspectors General. In other words, Congress wants to make it harder for the President to fire these self-appointed guardians of integrity.

**Affected industries and sectors:** Government agencies, naturally. But let's not be naive - this bill is really about protecting the interests of politicians who rely on these watchdogs to do their bidding.

**Compliance requirements and timelines:** The bill sets out a laundry list of "grounds" for removal, including "documented permanent incapacity," "neglect of duty," and "gross mismanagement." Because, you know, it's not like these bureaucrats are already insulated from accountability. The compliance timeline? Oh, don't worry, it's just a never-ending cycle of paperwork and bureaucratic red tape.

**Enforcement mechanisms and penalties:** Ah, the teeth of this bill - or rather, the lack thereof. There are no real enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance. Just more hot air from Congress.

**Economic and operational impacts:** This bill will have zero impact on the economy or operations of government agencies. It's just a feel-good exercise in legislative posturing. But hey, who needs actual reform when you can just create more bureaucratic hurdles?

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a bad case of " Politician-itis" - a disease characterized by an excessive desire for self-preservation and a complete disregard for the public interest.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach to withstand the stench of hypocrisy emanating from Capitol Hill.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Affairs Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$69,150
18 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$2,900
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
1 transaction
$2,900

No committee contributions found

1
PUNARO, ARNOLD
2 transactions
$6,600
2
PUNARO, JULIA
2 transactions
$6,600
3
HALE, KAREN
2 transactions
$6,600
4
PHILLIPS, STERLING
2 transactions
$6,600
5
HERSHMAN, MICHAEL J.
1 transaction
$3,300
6
TRONE, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
7
MISENER, PAUL E
1 transaction
$3,300
8
RABAUT, TOM W
1 transaction
$3,300
9
WALKER, KENT
1 transaction
$3,300
10
CARLSON, TERESA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
GURU, RAM
1 transaction
$3,300
12
HALL SR, DON
1 transaction
$3,300
13
HALL, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ABOD, CARAH
1 transaction
$3,300
15
ABOD, KIM
1 transaction
$3,300
16
BERBERIAN, ANNETTE
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

ID: L000562

Top Contributors

10

1
CRONIN, JON P.
CRONIN DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPAL
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
2
CRONIN, NICOLE M.
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
3
KENNEDY, LEE M. JR.
LEE KENNEDY CO. INC SELF EMPLOYED
Individual DUXBURY, MA
$3,300
Oct 25, 2023
4
KEOHANE, KIARA L.
SELF HOMEMAKER
Individual WAKEFIELD, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
5
KEOHANE, PATRICK J.
SELF PROPERTY MANAGER
Individual WAKEFIELD, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
6
KINEAVY, MICHAEL J.
THE CRONIN GROUP COO
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
7
MORIARTY, JOHN J III
JOHN MORIARTY & ASSOCIATES INC CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Individual CONCORD, MA
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
8
MORIARTY, JOHN J.
JOHN MORIARTY & ASSOCIATES BUILDER
Individual WINCHESTER, MA
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
9
MORIARTY, JOHN J.
JOHN MORIARTY & ASSOCIATES BUILDER
Individual WINCHESTER, MA
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
10
MURPHY, DENIS
REBEL RESTAURANT SELF
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023

Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

ID: K000391

Top Contributors

10

1
HONOR AGING LLC
Organization EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
$3,300
Jul 16, 2024
2
PINNACLE HOSPITAL
Organization CROWN POINT, IN
$2,500
Mar 3, 2023
3
HOME BEE LLC
Organization WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI
$1,000
Sep 18, 2024
4
SAKA, SAMUEL
SELF EMPLOYED ENTREPRENEUR
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Jun 2, 2023
5
SAKA, SAMUEL
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Jun 2, 2023
6
GAITONDE, SUJATA
UIC PROFESSOR
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,700
Feb 6, 2024
7
GAITONDE, SUNIL
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,700
Feb 6, 2024
8
KALSI, RAHUL S
NICOR GAS EXECUTIVE
Individual OAK BROOK, IL
$3,700
Sep 22, 2023
9
KOZAKIEWICZ, BEATA
STERLING GROUP INC. PRINCIPAL
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
10
JAIN, RAJ
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual ORLAND PARK, IL
$3,300
Nov 3, 2024

Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

ID: K000389

Top Contributors

10

1
1850 WILLIAMS INVESTORS LLC
Organization ALAMO, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
SIRHAN, MOTASIM
ELIXIR EXECUTIVE
Individual MILPITAS, CA
$13,200
Jan 3, 2024
3
PAPIER, SUSAN
WERBA RUBIN PAPIER WEALTH MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
Individual SAN JOSE, CA
$13,200
Mar 29, 2024
4
CLEMENS, NICOLE
PARAMOUNT GLOBAL EXECUTIVE
Individual PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$13,200
Mar 30, 2024
5
PAPIER, JASON
WERBA RUBIN PAPIER WEALTH MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
Individual SAN JOSE, CA
$13,200
Mar 29, 2024
6
COGEN, JACK
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$13,200
May 15, 2024
7
CLEMENS, NICOLE
Individual PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$12,200
Mar 31, 2024
8
YOUNIS, QASAR
APPLIED INTUITION EXECUTIVE
Individual LOS ALTOS, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024
9
PAPIER, SUSAN
Individual SAN JOSE, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024
10
PAPIER, JASON
Individual SAN JOSE, CA
$9,900
Mar 31, 2024

Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]

ID: M000687

Top Contributors

10

1
TABORN, TYRONE D.
Individual REISTERSTOWN, MD
$5,000
Jul 31, 2024
2
BRONFEIN, MICHAEL
CURIO WELLNESS CEO
Individual OWINGS MILLS, MD
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
3
SEIBEL, MICHAEL
Y COMBINATOR INVESTOR
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
4
JOHNSON, ROBERT
THE RLJ COMPANIES EXECUTIVE
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
5
JOSEPH, MARK K.
N/A RETIRED
Individual BALTIMORE, MD
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
6
JOHNSON, ROBERT
THE RLJ COMPANIES EXECUTIVE
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$3,300
Nov 9, 2023
7
TABORN, TYRONE D.
CAREER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP METAVERSE CREATOR
Individual REISTERSTOWN, MD
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023
8
FISCHER, SOLOMON
FISCHER ROOFING ROOFER
Individual LAKEWOOD, NJ
$3,000
Oct 7, 2024
9
TABORN, TYRONE D.
CAREER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP METAVERSE CREATOR
Individual REISTERSTOWN, MD
$3,000
Jul 27, 2024
10
BEREANO, BRUCE C.
SELF-EMPLOYED GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTANT
Individual ANNAPOLIS, MD
$2,500
Oct 23, 2024

Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

ID: B001313

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
3
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Jun 28, 2024
4
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Feb 23, 2024
5
MOORE, KENNETH
STUART, MOORE, STAUB, ATTORNEYS AT LAW ATTORNEY
Individual SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023
6
CANNON, ANN C
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER
Individual CONCORD, NC
$2,500
Feb 26, 2024
7
DAWSON, JAMES
SELF SALES
Individual SEMORA, NC
$1,041
Dec 31, 2023
8
DOCKERY, RANDY
REMAX REALTOR
Individual MURPHY, NC
$1,041
Nov 17, 2023
9
KISTNER, ERIC
ERIC KISTNER ENTREPRENEURS
Individual KINGSPORT, TN
$1,041
Nov 22, 2023
10
FRYE, ANJANETTE
RCF PROPERTIES INC BROKER
Individual DAYTON, OH
$1,041
Feb 1, 2024

Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

ID: S001218

Top Contributors

10

1
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$3,700
Jun 10, 2024
2
PUEBLO OF ISLETA
Organization ISLETA, NM
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
3
PUEBLO OF SANDIA
Organization BERNALILLO, NM
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
4
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
5
PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA
Organization BERNALILLO, NM
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
6
PUEBLO OF SANDIA
Organization BERNALILLO, NM
$3,300
Nov 27, 2023
7
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
Organization TUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
8
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
9
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
10
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRANTON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 25, 2024

Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

ID: G000598

Top Contributors

10

1
AIPAC
COM WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Oct 23, 2024
2
AIPAC
COM WASHINGTON, DC
$750
Nov 4, 2024
3
AIPAC
COM WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Oct 23, 2024
4
AIPAC
COM WASHINGTON, DC
$250
Nov 4, 2024
5
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
6
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$2,500
Jun 24, 2024
7
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$2,000
Oct 22, 2024
8
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,800
Oct 31, 2023
9
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 11, 2023
10
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$1,300
Nov 4, 2024

Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

ID: F000476

Top Contributors

10

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Jun 28, 2024
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$500
Sep 26, 2023
3
HULL, MEGAN
SELF EMPLOYED ACTIVIST
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 17, 2024
4
HARRIS, WILLIAM
PERKINS + WILL ARCHITECT
Individual CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Oct 29, 2023
5
BOYLAND, DORIAN
BOYLAND AUTO ORLANDO BUSINESS OWNER
Individual WINDERMERE, FL
$3,300
Oct 13, 2023
6
TILLMAN, BRIAN
WINDOW WORLD OWNER
Individual ORLANDO, FL
$3,300
Oct 20, 2023
7
PISCITELLI, JUNE
SMARTHINKING INSTRUCTOR
Individual FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
$3,300
Oct 6, 2023
8
WILLIAMS, TERESA
SELF EMPLOYED MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
Individual WINTER PARK, FL
$3,300
Dec 2, 2023
9
HARRIS, WILLIAM
PERKINS + WILL ARCHITECT
Individual CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Oct 29, 2023
10
PISCITELLI, JUNE
SMARTHINKING INSTRUCTOR
Individual FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
$3,300
Oct 6, 2023

Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

ID: L000602

Top Contributors

10

1
NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC
PAC ALEXANDRIA, VA
$5,000
Jun 13, 2023
2
THE EYE OF THE TIGER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$5,000
Jun 13, 2023
3
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
Jun 30, 2023
4
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES ACEC PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$4,000
Jun 30, 2023
5
CULAC THE PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$3,500
Jun 30, 2023
6
NATIONAL PORK PRODUCERS COUNCIL PORK PAC
PAC DES MOINES, IA
$2,500
Jun 13, 2023
7
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS--
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
Jun 14, 2023
8
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION PAC
PAC ALEXANDRIA, VA
$2,500
Jun 28, 2023
9
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS FEDERAL PAC
PAC BIRMINGHAM, AL
$2,500
Jun 28, 2023
10
THE HOME DEPOT INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
Jun 29, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 36 nodes and 34 connections

Total contributions: $127,150

Top Donors - Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

1 Org1 Committee16 Individuals