Potential Impact of National Archives and Records Service Budget Reductions

GAO was asked to review the potential impact of proposed fiscal year 1983 budget cuts at the National Archives and Records Service's (NARS) Office of Records and Information Management.

In response to a directive from the Administrator of General Services, the Archivist of the United States proposed a reduction of over 50 percent in the appropriated portion of the Office of Records and Information Management's budget from 1981 to 1983. GAO believes more recent fiscal year 1982 cuts may accelerate these reductions and that any actions which substantially reduce the NARS record management program and staff could reduce: (1) the level of expertise available in Federal records and information management; (2) the savings that NARS staff can produce for the Government; and (3) resources devoted to implementing the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 and bring about improvements in the record and information management program. GAO believes that, in identifying where cuts showed be made to reduce Federal expenditures, insufficient weight has been given to tangible benefits that have resulted from this agency's activities.