The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a nonpartisan investigative branch of the US Congress that investigates potential abuses of taxpayer funds and aims to hold the government accountable for its actions regarding public funds. The GAO serves consumers by issuing public reports and guidelines on problematic areas of government spending and identifying areas where excessive waste occurs. Members of Congress can request investigations into spending habits, but the GAO tends to be fair in its assessment. The GAO reports and recommendations can be obtained by requesting them or reading them online.
GAO stands for Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan investigative branch of the United States Congress. First founded in 1921, the GAO is often called a “guard” organization. Among other things, the GAO investigates potential abuses of taxpayer funds, with the aim of holding the government accountable for its actions regarding the spending of public funds. In addition, the GAO’s guidelines include among its objectives supporting the constitution by reporting to the President and Congress of the United States.
The GAO is supposed to be a nonpartisan organization, although nominations are made by presidents and reviewed and voted on by Congress. If a Democratic president and a Democratic congress appoint the GAO chief, or Comptroller General, then the investigation of issues related to Republican fund allocations may be of more interest to the GAO, while an issue relating to Democrats may be overlooked. However, political parties usually tend to cry foul if they perceive favoritism towards a party.
Unless illness or death occurs, the Comptroller has a 15-year term. Congress can impeach a GAO controller, but the president has no authority to remove him.
One way the GAO serves consumers is by issuing public reports and guidelines on problematic areas of government spending. When spending appears to exceed reasonable limits, the GAO’s problem is to find ways to reduce spending and stretch the US tax dollar. The GAO is particularly good at identifying areas where excessive waste occurs, and has been responsible for some reports of past spending that have riled Americans, such as discovering money being used for luxury cars or expensive travel.
Members of Congress can also formally request an investigation into the spending habits of other branches of government, US government-contracted companies or individuals. This may not always be an altruistic move to save tax money, but it may be politically motivated to “lock out” the spending habits of a member of an opposing party. However, the GAO tends to be fair in its assessment, so if there is no wrongdoing by a politician, that will also be reported.
GAO reports on spending openings and recommendations can be obtained by simply requesting them from the GAO. The GAO website also offers reports that can be read online, although older reports may not be available.
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