Headquarters Address:
-441 G Street, NW; Washington, DC 20548
-441 G Street, NW; Washington, DC 20548
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“The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is known as “the investigative arm of Congress” and “the congressional watchdog.” GAO supports the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and helps improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people [riiiiiight]. Read More About GAO“
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“About GAO”
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the “congressional watchdog,” GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. The head of GAO, the Comptroller General of the United States, is appointed to a 15-year term by the President from a slate of candidates Congress proposes. Gene L. Dodaro became Acting Comptroller General of the United States on March 13, 2008, succeeding David M. Walker, who appointed him upon resigning. Mr. Dodaro will serve in this position until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a successor from a list of candidates proposed by the Congress.
Our Mission is to support the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. We provide Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, nonideological, fair, and balanced.
Our Core Values of accountability, integrity, and reliability are reflected in all of the work we do. We operate under strict professional standards of review and referencing; all facts and analyses in our work are thoroughly checked for accuracy.
Our Work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is mandated by public laws or committee reports. We also undertake research under the authority of the Comptroller General, etc.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we have offices in 11 major cities across the country, and employ approximately 3,300 people, two-thirds of whom work at our headquarters….
Our diverse staff includes economists, social scientists, accountants, public policy analysts, attorneys, and computer experts as well as specialists in fields ranging from foreign policy to health care.
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Gene L. Dodaro – Acting Comptroller General ( since March 13, 2008)
“Mr. Dodaro has testified before Congress dozens of times on important national issues, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, federal assistance to the auto industry, U.S. involvement in Iraq and Pakistan, the federal government’s financial condition and fiscal outlook, and the need to modernize the U.S. financial regulatory system. He has led efforts to fulfill GAO’s new audit responsibilities under the TARP program to help stabilize financial markets and institutions, as well as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—the stimulus legislation designed to combat the economic downturn. …In a GAO career dating back more than 30 years, Mr. Dodaro has held a number of key executive posts.
…Dodaro worked closely with the Congress and several administrations on major management reform initiatives, including the 1994 Government Management Reform Act, which expanded the Chief Financial Officers Act; the revised 1995 Paperwork Reduction Act and the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, which require agencies to implement modern management practices for information technology management; and the 1996 refinements to the Single Audit Act, which outlines requirements for audits of federal assistance to state and local governments.
Mr. Dodaro will serve as Acting Comptroller General until the President nominates, and the Senate confirms, a successor from a list of candidates proposed by Congress. Mr. Dodaro is married to the former Joan McCabe and has three adult children.
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Gary L. Kepplinger – General Counsel
…leads approximately 130 attorneys.
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Frances Garcia - Inspector General (since 1996)
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“Key contacts”
Our workforce is organized largely by subject area, with most employees being in one of the following 13 teams. The links below will take you to an overview for each team.
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Federal agencies spend billions of tax dollars each year to acquire sophisticated weaponry, complex space and satellite systems, advanced technologies, and a broad range of goods and services needed to make the federal government run. Spending on these projects constitutes the largest element of discretionary funding in the federal budget. Analysts in the Acquisition and Sourcing Management team help Congress determine whether this money is being spent efficiently and effectively and if acquisitions protect the government’s interest and maximize agencies’ return on investment. We also assist the federal government to adopt better ways of buying systems, equipment, and services. In the face of global economic pressures, we also identify trends in national security industries and weaknesses in protecting critical capabilities and technologies.
Our oversight responsibilities primarily include the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) because they invest most heavily in acquisitions. We also work with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to examine opportunities for bringing about governmentwide improvements, particularly for new contracting approaches, strengthening the acquisition workforce, and analyzing the defense industrial base. Our work also has an international focus. For example, we examine foreign military sales improvement efforts, foreign acquisitions affecting national security, export control proposals, and international alliances among DOD contractors.
Managing Director: Paul L. Francis
Directors: Cristina Chaplain, John Hutton, Anne-Marie Lasowski, John Needham, Michael Sullivan, William T. Woods
Phone: (202) 512-4841
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Applied Research and Method’s (ARM) primary mission is to provide technical and specialist expertise that supports and extends the work of other GAO teams and thus contributes to the overall quality of the information GAO supplies to Congress and federal agencies. Our staff serve as consultants to other GAO teams, provide technical analyses where required, perform specialized reviews, and prepare guidance on methodological issues. We also conduct studies on questions of interest to Congress that require specialized analysis.
Our staff includes five subject matter chiefs—Chief Accountant, Chief Actuary, Chief Economist, Chief Statistician, and Chief Technologist—who provide expert advice to all GAO teams. ARM is organized into four centers that assist GAO’s mission teams: Center for Economics; Center for Design, Methods, and Analysis; Center for Evaluation Methods and Issues; Center for Technology and Engineering and the e-Security Laboratory.
Managing Director: Nancy Kingsbury
Chiefs:
Joseph Applebaum, Chief Actuary
Naba Barkakati, Chief Technologist
Robert Dacey, Chief Accountant
Ron Fecso, Chief Statistician
Susan Offutt, Chief Economist
Timothy Persons, Chief Scientist
Director, Center for Design, Methods, and Analysis: Sidney Schwartz
Director, Center for Economics: Thomas McCool
Senior-Level Technologists: Chris Martin, Madhav Panwar, Hai Tran
Phone: (202) 512-2700
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The Defense Capabilities and Management team leads GAO’s efforts to support congressional oversight of the Department of Defense (DOD) as it modernizes to meet a broad array of threats in the 21st century. Sustaining DOD’s military force costs taxpayers over $630 billion annually, including the supplemental appropriations to support the war on terrorism and other needs. Charting the future makeup and use of the military forces is a major issue facing Congress and the President, as are efforts to dramatically restructure DOD personnel and business practices. To assist Congress, we study a wide range of current and future defense issues, etc.
Managing Director: Janet St. Laurent
Directors: Davi M. D’Agostino, Jack Edwards, Brenda S. Farrell, Brian Lepore, John Pendleton, Sharon Pickup, William Solis
Phone: (202) 512-4300
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An educated citizenry and a productive workforce are keys to the continued vitality of our democratic society and the vigor of our community. To this end, the government spends billions on programs aimed at fostering the development and education of our children and protecting this vulnerable population. Billions of dollars are also directed at providing training for our workers, helping adults not in the workforce enhance their skills and obtain employment, and protecting workers from employment-related and physical hazards. Significant resources are also devoted to providing Social Security and pension benefits to the nation’s retirees. Together, these programs account for over 40 percent of federal spending and touch the lives of virtually every American. With long-term fiscal challenges facing the nation, the Education, Workforce, and Income Security team assists Congress by examining whether these programs are being efficiently and effectively implemented and ensuring that federal dollars are spent wisely, etc.
Managing Director: Cynthia M. Fagnoni
Directors: Cornelia M. Ashby, Daniel Bertoni, Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Kay E. Brown, George A. Scott, Andy Sherrill
Phone: (202) 512-7215
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The mission of the Financial Management and Assurance team is twofold. First, we help to transform the federal government’s financial operations to meet the challenges of the 21st century, including those related to financial management infrastructure, accountability for assets and operations, and the reliability of financial information. Our focus in this area is on actions needed to ensure that timely, accurate, and useful financial information is available for making decisions, monitoring performance day to day, and maintaining accountability and stewardship. Second, primarily through our Forensic Audit and Special Investigations Unit (FSI), we support congressional oversight by exposing fraudulent, wasteful, and abusive activities across government. Our areas of expertise include financial audits, forensic audits and investigations, accounting and auditing standards, and financial analysis.
We help Congress ensure the full and effective implementation of the 1990 Chief Financial Officers Act, the 1994 Government Management Reform Act, the 1996 Federal Financial Management Improvement Act, and other crosscutting financial management legislation. A key driver of this work is the legislative requirement for GAO to audit the U.S. government’s annual financial statements and conduct other mandated financial audits. Further, we identify opportunities for improving accountability for assets through our FSI security vulnerability assessments, forensic audits, and special investigations of areas of government operations that are vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.
Managing Directors:
Jeanette M. Franzel
Gregory D. Kutz
Directors: Abraham D. Akresh, James R. Dalkin, Kay L. Daly, Gary T. Engel, Asif A. Khan, Susan Ragland, Steven J. Sebastian
Phone: (202) 512-2600
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The Financial Markets and Community Investment team supports Congress in two areas critical to the nation’s economic and social well-being. First, we help ensure that U.S. financial markets function smoothly and effectively, and we and work to identify ways to stem fraud and abuse that can endanger the financial security of businesses, households, and individuals. Second, we help promote sound, sustainable community investment by assessing the effectiveness of federal initiatives aimed at small businesses, state and local governments, and communities. A key theme of our work is balancing safety and soundness with the need to make capital available to individuals, businesses, and communities.
We help Congress improve the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in financial and housing markets and the management of community development programs, and we examine the effectiveness of specific programs and administrative functions, etc.
Managing Director: Richard J. Hillman
Directors: Alicia P. Cackley, Mathew J. Scire, William B. Shear, Orice M. Williams
Phone: (202) 512-8678
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The Health Care team leads GAO’s efforts in supporting congressional oversight of the federal agencies and programs that tangibly affect the lives of all Americans. Collectively, federal health care programs’ expenditures represent about one-quarter of all federal spending. Ensuring that these programs provide access to quality care, protect the public, and remain fiscally sustainable is one of the greatest challenges facing Congress and the President in the 21st century.
We provide analyses, recommendations, and policy options to Congress and the executive branch to help meet the needs of our aging and diverse population. For the following departments and agencies, we examine not only their achievement of program goals but also their management, information systems, human capital, and financial operations:
* Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
*Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration.
*Department of Defense’s (DOD) TRICARE.
*Food and Drug Administration.
Managing Director: Marjorie E. Kanof
Directors: Cynthia A. Bascetta, James C. Cosgrove, Marcia G. Crosse, John E. Dicken, Katherine M. Iritani, Kathleen M. King, Linda T. Kohn, A. Bruce Steinwald, Randall B. Williamson, Carolyn L. Yocom
Phone: (202) 512-7114
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Called the greatest challenge facing the United States at the beginning of the 21st century, homeland security has fundamentally reshaped government priorities and altered numerous federal, state, and local programs and citizen behaviors. In 2002, Congress created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the primary mission of preventing, reducing vulnerability to, and aiding in recovery from domestic terrorist attacks. DHS’s efforts to effectively secure all modes of transportation; land, air, and sea ports of entry; and our nation’s borders, as well as enforce immigration laws within our borders, are critical to adequately protecting and securing the homeland.
The Homeland Security and Justice team assists Congress by researching and analyzing issues in both the homeland security and justice areas. We communicate our research results through briefings, written reports, congressional testimonies, and meetings with members of Congress. We are in frequent contact with congressional staff, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and other federal law enforcement agencies. In conducting our work, we use a variety of analytical techniques, including surveys, statistical analyses, modeling, structured interviews, file reviews, and direct observations.
Managing Director: Cathleen Berrick
Directors: Steve Caldwell, Bill Jenkins, Eileen Larence, Stephen Lord, Rich Stana
Phone: (202) 512-8777
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Information technology (IT) can be a key element of management reform, dramatically reshaping government to make it more responsive and efficient. Today’s rapid technological change and innovation, including the growth of the Internet, offer unprecedented opportunities to use IT to enhance government service to citizens by improving performance and reducing costs. These opportunities, however, create great challenges. The Information Technology team leads GAO’s efforts to help the government address these important challenges by working to build the government’s capacity to manage IT and to manage the collection, use, and dissemination of information in an era of rapidly changing technology. We also seek to strengthen information security and to protect the computer and telecommunications systems that support the nation’s vital infrastructures.
We assist Congress in assessing and improving the government’s substantial IT investments—including high-risk modernization efforts—and we continue to develop and expand best practice methodologies that are used across government to guide IT investment decision making. We also seek to improve how the government collects and manages its information and to better protect the security and privacy of government data in light of the nation’s growing dependence on complex and interconnected computer and telecommunications systems. To do this, our specialists perform work at federal agencies across the country.
Managing Director: Joel Willemssen
Directors: Randolph C. Hite, Valerie C. Melvin, David A. Powner, Gregory C. Wilshusen
Phone: (202) 512-6408
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The United States has become increasingly involved in international issues that range from advancing and protecting U.S. political and economic interests to responding to global market forces and national and worldwide security threats. The International Affairs and Trade team helps Congress address these issues by evaluating economic, political, and security problems worldwide.
We analyze the effectiveness and management of U.S. foreign aid programs, evaluate the efficiency and accountability of the United Nations (UN) and related multilateral organizations, and assess the strategies used to manage U.S. foreign affairs functions and activities. We review how effective federal agencies are in achieving international security objectives, combating international terrorism, and preventing the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. We also evaluate how trade agreements and programs serve U.S. interests and assess how the United States can influence improvements in the world’s financial systems and counteract economic crises, etc.
Managing Director: Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers
Directors: Joseph A. Christoff, Jess T. Ford, David B. Gootnick, Charles Johnson, Thomas Melito, Loren Yager
Phone: (202) 512-4128
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The United States has vast natural resources and beauty and, at the same time, is home to a modern economy and high standard of living. These assets underlie a way of life that is the envy of much of the world. However, they also pose a challenge to the American people and their elected officials—namely, how to balance the need to protect these resources for future generations with the need to use them to maintain current economic prosperity. Every year, Congress faces this difficult question as it considers various bills related to natural resources and environmental issues that affect the lives of the American people on a daily basis.
The Natural Resources and Environment team contributes to these deliberations by providing fact-based analyses on a wide range of issues. In doing this work, our headquarters and field analysts concentrate mainly on the programs of the following agencies: Department of Agriculture; Department of Energy; Department of the Interior; Environmental Protection Agency; Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Army Corps of Engineers; National Science Foundation; National Marine Fisheries Service; Patent and Trademark Office.
Managing Director: Patricia Dalton
Directors: Gene Aloise, Mark Gaffigan, Anu Mittal, Robin M. Nazzaro, Frank Rusco, Lisa Shames, John B. Stephenson, David Trimble
Phone: (202) 512-3841
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The Physical Infrastructure team helps Congress, federal agencies, and the public address challenges within the U.S. infrastructure. The transportation systems, telecommunications networks, oil and gas pipelines, and federal facilities we depend on are owned, funded, and operated by both the public and private sectors. These transportation and communications systems are vital to interstate commerce and are necessary for a vibrant, healthy economy. Policy decisions addressing infrastructure challenges directly affect our nation’s economic vitality and quality of life.
Our reports and testimonies help Congress oversee a variety of federal agencies and other entities. We help Congress and the agencies and entities we review ensure the continued efficiency, safety, and security of the nation’s infrastructure. Among the agencies and entities we review are the following: Department of Transportation (DOT), including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); General Services Administration (GSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Amtrak; U.S. Postal Service.
Managing Director: Katherine Siggerud
Directors: Gerald L. Dillingham, Terrell Dorn, Susan Fleming, Mark L. Goldstein, Phil Herr, David Wise
Phone: (202) 512-2834
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The federal government faces a range of challenges in the 21st century, including the nation’s large and growing long-term fiscal imbalances and an aging and more diverse population. Given these challenges, the federal government needs to engage in a comprehensive review, reassessment, reprioritization, and, as appropriate, re-engineering of what the federal government does, how it does business, who does its business, and how government is financed. The Strategic Issues team focuses on the federal government’s role in achieving national goals in an increasingly networked environment and its ability to deliver, and ensure accountability for, meaningful results.
To accomplish our mission, we work independently, with other GAO teams, and with a broad range of “good government” organizations to assist Congress in addressing the governance challenges of the 21st century and directly support GAO’s efforts to establish partnerships with leading innovators who also can help address these challenges. We also periodically report on areas within the federal government that we have identified as high risk because of their greater vulnerabilities to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, as well as areas needing broad-based transformation to address major economy, efficiency, or effectiveness challenges.
Managing Director: J. Christopher Mihm
Directors: Michael Brostek, Stanley J. Czerwinski, Denise Fantone, Robert Goldenkoff, Susan J. Irving, Yvonne D. Jones, George H. Stalcup, Bernice Steinhardt, James R. White
Phone: (202) 512-6806
