Oversight of the General Accounting Office

GAO discussed both its work and the organizational changes it has made to better enable itself to focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. In fiscal year 1983, GAO identified $4.5 billion in measurable financial benefits which resulted from actions taken by Congress or Federal agencies in response to GAO work. Ten Federal programs or activities were terminated at a savings of $642 million while additional review emphasis was placed on the increasing Department of Defense budget. Organizational changes within GAO increased its ability to serve Congress and efforts to reduce the Federal deficit encouraged sharing medical resources, improving Federal debt collection, and improving Federal financial management.