I know that [Technical difficulty--Editor] today in particular. I don't think that there are any impediments to the ombudsman's independence at all. The FAA, the Financial Administration Act, affects everybody who works in government. There are controls on everybody's budget to ensure that it's spent appropriately, but he has never had travel turned down. He has never had interference in a study of his, because there is a reporting relationship for the budget, and he has delegated authorities. He is able to spend his money, his budget, as he sees fit within the FAA. I don't think there's an impediment to his independence at all.
On April 4th, 2017. See this statement in context.