Justice and Law Enforcement:

Withholding Precedence (USDA)

AIMD-95-142R, May 17, 1995

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Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

Pursuant to an agency request, GAO provided information on the order of withholding precedence for deductions from federal employees' wages, focusing on the: (1) conflict between Title 6 requirements and the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) regulations; and (2) requirement that federal agencies comply with garnishment orders for commercial debts. GAO noted that OPM regulations: (1) take precedence over Title 6 requirements; and (2) state that garnishments for child support and alimony payments take precedence over garnishments for commercial debts.