Comments on H.R. 4572 and S. 1436 To Amend Title 44 United States Code

The Government Printing Office (GPO) was established in 1861 as the sole printing function of the government. The establishment of GPO as part of the legislative branch to serve Congress and agencies was justifiable years ago because there was more congressional work. However, today, the printing requirements of executive agencies make up such a high majority of total government printing that a review of the system for oversight of government printing is needed. Today's printing needs can be viewed in terms of production, procurement, and distribution. To meet these needs, a structure is required consisting of broad options for in-house printing capacity, procurement capability, and a flexible distribution system. Generally, today's GPO organizational structure does not conform to normal government practices from the standpoint of separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, does not conform to prudent business practice from the standpoint of management and controls, and does not afford the executive branch control over its own printing needs which represent a preponderance of today's printing. Past GAO reports have pointed out areas in which GPO function services could be improved. These include printing services for federal agencies, pricing of publications, management of agency printing plants, distribution of public documents, and management of regional printing procurement offices. While some improvements are still needed, GPO subsequently reduced printing costs, increased productivity, and reduced the time for processing orders for, and distributing, documents. Some possible alternative GPO structures include one in which management control over executive agencies' printing would be vested in a controlling organization within the executive branch, with GPO retaining responsibility for legislative branch printing. Another alternative is to create a single agency structure with an Executive Officer as the key individual. A third alternative established by pending legislation would centralize the management of all government printing in an independent agency.