; and (ii) not later than the date on which the change in status takes effect, submits to both Houses of Congress (including to the appropriate congressional committees) a written communication that contains the information required under subparagraph (B), including the report required under clause (ii) of that subparagraph. (D) Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to limit or otherwise modify any statutory protection that is afforded to the Inspector General or a personnel action that is otherwise authorized by law. ; (2) in subsection (f)— (A) by striking The Comptroller General and inserting the following: (1) Prohibition The Comptroller General ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Budget independence The Comptroller General shall include the annual budget request of the Inspector General in the budget of the Government Accountability Office without change. ; and (3) in subsection (g)— (A) in paragraph (1), in the second sentence, by striking , except that no personnel of the Office may be paid at an annual rate greater than $1,000 less than the annual rate of pay of the Inspector General ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (5) Legal advice The Inspector General shall, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing selections, appointments, and employment at the Government Accountability Office, obtain legal advice from a counsel reporting directly to the Inspector General or another Inspector General. .