Summary

The Chairman of the House Committee on Interastate and Foreign Commerce requested GAO's interpretation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Act, as it relates to the employment of publicity experts. Further, the Chairman asked if GAO had ever made a ruling holding that the act was not construed as preventing the employment of persons to carry on publicity activities.

GAO stated that it has had no occasion to render a decision construing the statute. Further, GAO found that the employment of personnel to prepare "press releases" and "magazine articles" on the activities of the corporation would appear out of harmony with the purposes of the act, but not necessarily in conflict with its specific provisions.