Status of Budget Authority

As required by law, GAO advised Congress of the budget authority status of two accounts which the President is withholding contrary to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

GAO noted that: (1) the President proposed to transfer funds appropriated to the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) for a replacement training vessel to other MARAD activities; (2) Congress passed legislation, signed by the President, disapproving the deferral; and (3) the President announced a deferral which included the funds subject to the earlier, disapproved deferral. GAO also noted that: (1) the President reported to Congress the deferral of funds appropriated to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) for public transportation system grants; (2) Congress passed legislation, signed by the President, disapproving the deferral and directing that the funds be obligated; and (3) the President proposed to rescind the funds without further justification. Because the withholding of these two accounts is in violation of appropriations acts and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, GAO may institute a civil action to require the release of the UMTA and MARAD budget authority.