10.4 Government Accountability Office (GAO) and inspectors general

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and inspectors general are crucial watchdogs for Congress. They investigate federal programs, identify waste and fraud, and recommend improvements. Their work helps lawmakers make informed decisions and hold agencies accountable.

These oversight bodies face challenges like resource constraints and political pressure. But their impact is significant. They've saved billions of taxpayer dollars and improved government operations. Their reports and investigations are key tools for effective congressional oversight.

The Government Accountability Office

Overview and Mission

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• The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress and is often called the "congressional watchdog"
• The GAO's mission supports Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and helps improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government
• The GAO conducts audits, evaluations, and investigations of federal programs and activities, providing Congress with objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, and non-ideological information

GAO's Work and Leadership

• The GAO's work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees, or is statutorily required by public laws or committee reports
• The GAO ensures that government programs are accountable, transparent, and operating effectively by providing oversight, insight, and foresight
• The Comptroller General of the United States, appointed to a 15-year term by the President from a slate of candidates proposed by Congress, heads the GAO

GAO and Congress: Oversight Partners

Supporting Congressional Oversight

• The GAO supports congressional oversight by conducting independent audits, investigations, and evaluations of federal programs and activities
• Congressional committees and subcommittees can request the GAO to review specific programs or activities, and the GAO is required to do work requested by committee chairs and ranking members
• The GAO's reports and testimonies provide Congress with information and recommendations to help improve government operations, spending, and accountability
• The GAO's work helps Congress make informed decisions on the continuing need for, and potential improvements to, federal programs and activities

GAO's Impact and High-Risk List

• The GAO's recommendations to Congress and executive branch agencies have resulted in significant improvements in government operations and saved billions of dollars
• The GAO's High-Risk List, updated every two years, identifies federal programs and operations that are especially vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, or that need broad reform
• Examples of programs on the High-Risk List include Medicare, NASA acquisition management, and the Department of Defense's weapons systems acquisition

Inspectors General: Fighting Waste and Fraud

Role and Responsibilities

• Inspectors general (IGs) are independent, nonpartisan officials within federal agencies responsible for conducting audits, investigations, and evaluations of their agency's programs and operations
• The Inspector General Act of 1978 established offices of inspector general in many federal agencies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and to prevent and detect fraud and abuse
• IGs have a dual reporting requirement: they report to both the head of their agency and to Congress, which helps ensure their independence and objectivity

Investigations, Audits, and Reports

• IGs conduct criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of alleged wrongdoing within their agencies, such as waste, fraud, and abuse
• IGs also conduct audits and evaluations of their agency's programs and operations to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that federal funds are being used efficiently and effectively
• IGs have subpoena power and can access all records and information of their agency, enabling them to conduct thorough and independent investigations and audits
• IGs submit semiannual reports to Congress that summarize their activities and findings, and they can also issue special reports or management alerts to agency heads and Congress as needed

Effectiveness of GAO and Inspectors General

Successes and Contributions

• The GAO and inspectors general play a critical role in supporting congressional oversight by providing independent, objective, and reliable information on the performance and accountability of federal programs and agencies
• The GAO's work has resulted in significant improvements in government operations, including increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved services to the public (e.g., identifying duplication in federal programs)
• The GAO's recommendations have a high implementation rate, with agencies implementing over 75% of the GAO's recommendations in recent years
• Inspectors general have been effective in identifying and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse within federal agencies, resulting in billions of dollars in savings and recoveries (e.g., uncovering fraudulent Medicare billing practices)

Challenges and Limitations

• The effectiveness of the GAO and inspectors general can be limited by factors such as resource constraints, lack of cooperation from agencies, and political pressures
  • For example, agencies may resist or delay implementing the GAO's recommendations, or may not provide the GAO with timely access to information needed for its work
  • IGs may face challenges in maintaining their independence and objectivity, particularly if they face pressure or retaliation from agency leaders or political appointees
• The GAO and IGs have also been criticized at times for the quality or timeliness of their work, or for not focusing on the most important issues facing federal agencies
• Despite these challenges, the GAO and inspectors general remain essential tools for Congress in conducting oversight and holding federal agencies accountable