PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 111-15.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Apr 24, 2009
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)
Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to grant the Special Inspector General (SIG) authority to conduct, supervise, and coordinate an audit or investigation of any action taken with regard to the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that the SIG deems appropriate.
Prohibits any audit or investigation, however, of any action related to: (1) graduated authorization to purchase troubled assets; (2) oversight and audits by the Comptroller General; (3) the Comptroller General's study and report on margin authority; and (4) the Congressional Oversight Panel.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Treats the Office of the SIG for TARP as one of those federal Inspector General offices whose agents may carry a firearm, make arrests with or without a warrant, and seek and execute arrest, search, and seizure warrants under the Inspector General Act of 1978 without first receiving an determination of eligibility by the Attorney General.
(Sec. 3) Authorizes the SIG to exercise specified employment authorities for additional personnel, but not after six months following enactment of this Act.
Prohibits any period of appointment from exceeding the date on which the Office of the SIG terminates.
States that if an annuitant receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund becomes employed within the Office of the SIG for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, such annuity shall continue. Limits such allowance to: (1) not more than 25 employees at any time as designated by the SIG; and (2) only pay periods beginning after the enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to either: (1) take action to address deficiencies identified by a report or investigation of the SIG or other auditor engaged by the TARP; or (2) certify to congressional committees that no action is necessary or appropriate.
Instructs the SIG to work with Inspectors General of designated federal agencies to: (1) avoid duplication of effort; and (2) ensure comprehensive oversight of TARP.
Makes the SIG a member of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency until termination of the Office.
(Sec. 5) Requires the SIG to: (1) report quarterly to certain congressional committees on SIG activities; (2) report to Congress by September 1, 2009, on the use of any funds received by a financial institution under TARP; and (3) make the latter report available to the public, including on the home page of the SIG's website within 24 hours after its submission to Congress.
(Sec. 6) Requires funding for the office of the SIG to be made available not later than seven days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 7) Makes the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction members of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency until the termination of their respective Offices.
People & committees
Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO] · D–MO
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 111-15.
Became Public Law No: 111-15.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 152). (text: CR H3847-3848)
House roll call 152 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 152).(text: CR H3847-3848)
House roll call 152 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3853-3854)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 383.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3847-3851)
Mr. Moore (KS) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 12.
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 111-41, Part I.
Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 111-41, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Financial Services
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1613-1614; text as passed Senate: CR S1613-1614)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1613-1614; text as passed Senate: CR S1613-1614)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.383 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.383 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.383 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.383 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.