Summary

GAO discussed its fiscal year (FY) 1991 budget request. GAO noted that its FY 1989 activities included: (1) issuing 26 presidential transition reports for the incoming Congress and administration; (2) issuing 881 audit and evaluation reports, testifying 217 times before Congress, and issuing more than 3,800 legal decisions and opinions; (3) achieving $8 billion in measurable financial benefits from legislative and executive actions resulting from its work; and (4) addressing such critical issues as federal budgeting and management, financial institutions, defense operations, health care, information resources management, nuclear waste, and drug abuse. GAO also noted that it: (1) extended its schedule for planned facility renovations and made some other reductions to absorb FY 1990 budget cuts; (2) was evaluating the use of automated data processing technology to improve operational efficiency; (3) was studying the efficiency of contracting for some of its audit and evaluation work; (4) was continuing to recruit and retain effective personnel through various programs; and (5) closed some regional suboffices. In addition, GAO noted that its FY 1991 budget: (1) covered funding for mandatory pay and related increases for 5,200 positions and 100 additional positions; (2) sought authority to use $5.9 million that tenant agencies paid it for use of its building; and (3) included costs for consultant services, staff travel, training, and microcomputers.