Skinner tapped for permanent IG

President Bush wants Richard Skinner, the acting inspector general for the Homeland Security Department, to take the job on a more permanent basis.

The president nominated Skinner as IG last week. The nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation.

Skinner has been acting IG since last December, when Congress did not renew the recess appointment of Clark Kent Ervin. Before that, Skinner served as the department’s first deputy IG, handling day-to-day operations of the office.

Before joining DHS in March 2003, Skinner was acting IG and deputy inspector general at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served as the "de facto" IG for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in the State Department.

In the federal government since 1968, Skinner has also worked in the IG offices at the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Justice.