What does GAO regulate?
GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency in the legislative branch of the U.S. Government charged with several basic responsibilities: to assist the Congress, committees and Members to carry out their legislative, budget control, and oversight or review responsibilites; to carry out financial control and other ...
Is the GAO partisan?
GAO, often called the "congressional watchdog,” is an independent, non-partisan agency that works for Congress. GAO examines how taxpayer dollars are spent and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, non-partisan, fact-based information to help the government save money and work more efficiently.
Does the GAO have any legal authority?
GAO engages in audits and investigations, but it has negligible enforcement power. Once a legal determination has been made, GAO has exhausted its regulatory authority. Regardless of the adjudicative outcome, GAO has no authority to exact fines, issue injunctions, or pursue further proceedings, criminal or otherwise.