Comments on H.R. 24, 96th Congress

Congress is currently considering a bill to extend the access to information now exercised by GAO and to make additional modifications in the agency's operation. The bill grants GAO authority to audit the "unvouchered," or confidential, funds of some Federal agencies to determine if they are being used for authorized purposes, while protecting confidentiality. Another provision authorizes GAO to seek court enforcement of its legal rights, including subpoena powers, upon Federal agencies and contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and other recipients of Federal assistance. This proposal streamlines the procedure for GAO to gain access to needed information by eliminating nonproductive negotiations. GAO will continue to discuss matters with the Executive branch and will notify agencies of planned litigation to obtain documents, but will then resort to court action if necessary. A modification in the appointment procedure for Comptrollers General will set up a congressional commission to consult with the President in choosing a mutually agreeable nominee. Inspectors General of the Executive departments will comply with GAO auditing standards, a policy which should be extended throughout all Federal internal audit operations. GAO does not favor a proposal of the Act to permit agencies 30 days to comment on GAO draft reports, because it will unduly delay the publication of reports. Agencies will be presented only with report findings and conclusions; report recommendations should be included for agency comment since concurrence will lend credibility to the recommendations, and exceptions will indicate to Congress the areas of agency-GAO disagreement. GAO will disclose to appropriate Executive branch officers the findings of unvouchered account audits, expediting corrective action, and notify the Attorney General of pending GAO information access litigation. An amendment proposal will free the President altogether from adherence to a pre-selected list of Comptroller General nominees. All provisions not otherwise noted were approved by GAO.