2021 marks the a centesimal anniversary of the founding of the Authorities Accountability Workplace. For the previous century, the unbiased, non-partisan “congressional watchdog” has been overseeing how the federal authorities operates and spends its cash—declaring the place it’s doing effectively and the place it may possibly enhance. Through the years, GAO has made hundreds of suggestions based mostly on info to enhance providers and save taxpayers billions of {dollars}.
Previously referred to as the Basic Accounting Workplace, the company has grow to be a trusted, non-partisan advisor to Congress, a proud defender of public curiosity, and a number one advocate for higher authorities. From cybersecurity to social safety, missiles to Medicaid, and international coverage to public well being coverage and the worldwide pandemic, GAO works to carry authorities applications accountable to all People.
Because the company celebrates its a centesimal anniversary, Comptroller Basic of the US Gene Dodaro shares an outline of the company’s legacy.
Our historical past at a look
The Finances and Accounting Act created GAO in 1921 when Congress realized the necessity to management rising authorities expenditures and debt after World Warfare I. Till the top of World Warfare II, GAO primarily checked the legality and adequacy of presidency expenditures.
After World Warfare II, as authorities duties and applications grew, so did GAO. The main target of our work shifted towards serving to Congress monitor govt department companies’ applications and spending.
In 1974, Congress broadened GAO’s analysis position and gave us higher duty within the funds course of. This was once we began to recruit scientists, actuaries, and specialists in fields equivalent to well being care, public coverage, and computer systems.
In 1986, we assembled a staff {of professional} investigators, many with regulation enforcement backgrounds, to look into allegations of doable legal and civil misconduct.
Over the last 20 years, we’ve strived to enhance accountability by alerting policymakers and the general public to rising issues all through authorities.
In 2004, GAO’s authorized identify modified from the Basic Accounting Workplace to the Authorities Accountability Workplace. The change mirrored the company’s increasing position in a rising federal authorities. Shifting past monetary audits, GAO started conducting efficiency audits—inspecting how authorities applications have been performing and whether or not they have been assembly their goals.
At the moment, our company that after checked tens of millions of presidency vouchers has grow to be a multidisciplinary group geared up to deal with Congress’s hardest audit and analysis assignments.
We’ve got checked out up to date points like opioid habit, the gig financial system, inexpensive housing, and meals security. The company has additionally established a brand new science and know-how staff to fulfill Congress’ rising want for data on innovative points like synthetic intelligence and infectious illness modeling. Most just lately, GAO has been evaluating the biggest response to a nationwide emergency in US historical past, the $2.6 trillion COIVD-19 response laws, and making suggestions about learn how to enhance its effectiveness in coping with public well being points and the financial system.
Learn extra in these in-depth articles.