Progress in Improving Program and Budget Information for Congressional Use

A report was submitted on: (1) the progress and results of GAO work to improve program and budget information for congressional use; and (2) executive branch progress in implementing any recommended changes.

Over the past year, GAO worked to improve financial management in the federal government, including the congressional budget process and the financial management systems that support policy making in Congress and the executive branch. GAO has communicated the results of its work in reports, testimony, and comments on pending legislation. GAO has also provided program and budget information services and special analyses to congressional committees. The annual joint Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Department of the Treasury report discussed a number of executive branch actions during the past year that were directed toward satisfying congressional information needs, including: (1) new and improved budget information; (2) simplified presentation of budget data; (3) automated improvements; (4) cash management; (5) standards and classification; (6) standardizing disbursing officers' checks-issued records; and (6) improvement in the quality and timeliness of data. The report also discussed planned activities by Treasury and OMB for the current year.