On behalf of several organizations, a call has been made to Congress to reconsider proposed budget cuts to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The House Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations suggests reducing the GAO’s budget authority by half. According to these organizations, such a reduction would weaken an essential oversight body, impacting both the GAO and Congress.
The GAO has been recognized for its role as Congress’s fiscal watchdog. It reportedly offers a return on investment of $123 for every dollar spent and has identified significant savings and opportunities to reduce duplication and mismanagement within federal operations. The GAO handles more than 150 recurring reports annually and receives an average of 627 new congressional requests each year.
Currently, the House FY 2026 Legislative Branch appropriations bill proposes cutting the GAO’s budget authority to approximately $451 million, a level not seen since FY 2003. At that time, the agency had fewer employees and was overseeing significantly less in federal outlays compared to today’s responsibilities.
The organizations emphasize that the GAO provides nonpartisan and independent information crucial for Congressional oversight. A major budget cut could hinder Congress’s ability to manage wasteful spending effectively. They argue that while reform is necessary, it should focus on enhancing efficiency rather than cutting resources.
The letter concludes with a plea for lawmakers to prioritize responsible management of taxpayer dollars by opposing substantial cuts to the GAO’s funding.
“R Street Institute”
“National Taxpayers Union”
“American Association of Senior Citizens”
“Center for a Free Economy”
“Concord Action”
“Due Process Institute”
“Hispanic Leadership Fund”
“Independent Center”
“Millennial Debt Foundation”
“Niskanen Center”
“Project on Government Oversight”
“Rio Grande Foundation”
“Taxpayers for Common Sense”
“Taxpayers Protection Alliance”
“60 Plus Association”
