Heritage speech to focus on how 
Inspectors General can ensure accurate 
performance information from agencies

(Washington, DC) – Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) has accepted an invitation from The Heritage Foundation to discuss the implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act (Results Act). Specifically, Senator Thompson will offer suggestions as to what the Inspectors General community can do to ensure that Congress receives accurate performance information from agencies.

On March 31, 2000, the date on which agencies are required to submit annual performance reports, Senator Thompson sent a letter to David Walker, the Comptroller General of the United States, requesting that the Government Accounting Office (GAO) conduct a review and analysis of the performance reports for the 24 major federal departments and independent agencies.

Thompson wrote, "These reports complete the first full cycle of GPRA implementation. Thus, we have arrived at a critical juncture in our efforts to adopt an effective results orientation for the federal government."

To provide a framework for GAO’s analysis, Senator Thompson included a list of key outcomes that agencies are supposed to attain, based on a review of agency statutory missions and strategic plans, as well as input provided by GAO and the Congressional Research Service (CRS). In addition, Senator Thompson requested that GAO provide an analysis of how the performance reports demonstrate progress in resolving the high-risk and other major management problems that GAO and agency Inspectors General have repeatedly highlighted for each agency.

click here to view Senator Thompson’s letter to
Comptroller General Walker