Government Accountability Office (GAO)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, non-partisan agency that works for the U.S. Congress. Often called the "congressional watchdog," the GAO investigates and audits government programs and spending to ensure accountability and efficiency. Its mission is to improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. The GAO is in the news recently due to an analysis by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer) which was sent in a letter to the GAO. Peer estimates that the Trump administration "wasted" $10 billion on paid leave for federal employees. This analysis highlights the GAO's role in overseeing government spending and investigating potential mismanagement or inefficiencies. The GAO's findings are crucial for informing Congress and the public about the effectiveness of government programs and policies, and for recommending improvements to ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.