GAO

An independent, nonpartisan agency that works directly for the United States Congress. Its core mission is to support lawmakers by providing objective analysis, audits, evaluations, and investigative reports on how federal programs and taxpayer dollars are managed and spent.

Originally established in 1921 as the General Accounting Office, the agency was renamed the Government Accountability Office in 2004 to reflect its expanded role beyond financial accounting better. Today, the GAO examines nearly every aspect of federal activity, including defense, healthcare, cybersecurity, infrastructure, financial regulation, education, and technology modernization. Its work is grounded in evidence, data analysis, and strict methodological standards, making its reports influential across both political parties.

The GAO does not create laws or enforce regulations. Instead, it identifies inefficiencies, risks, waste, fraud, and abuse, and offers recommendations designed to improve government performance and accountability. Federal agencies are not legally required to adopt GAO recommendations, but historically, a large percentage are implemented, resulting in significant cost savings and operational improvements. In many years, the GAO reports that its work returns tens of dollars in savings for every dollar appropriated to the agency.

For policymakers, journalists, businesses, and researchers, GAO reports serve as a trusted source of insight into how government programs actually function in practice. In a broader sense, the GAO plays a critical role in maintaining transparency and public trust by ensuring that government actions are evaluated independently, rigorously, and in the public interest.