Senators renew push for more oversight of global deals by little-noticed US development agency

Key senators are telling The Associated Press they want to see more rigorous oversight of the federal government's development agency, called the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. The agency was the subject of an AP investigation earlier this week into a failed $217 million energy project in western Africa that was marked by insider connections and questionable due diligence.

The AP's scrutiny brings renewed attention to earlier proposals on Capitol Hill to create the job of inspector general inside the agency to review its activities. Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri said inspectors general serve as the eyes and ears of taxpayers to prevent waste, fraud and abuse, and every agency should have one.

A spokesman for the agency said it supports creation of an inspector general, too.