Comments on the Committee on Education and Labor's Use of Military Transportation Services

In response to a congressional request, GAO commented on the use of military air transportation and other services by the Select Education Subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and Labor in connection with a proposed study mission to VISTA and Young Volunteers in ACTION project sites in Puerto Rico. Agency appropriations for the travel expenses of congressional committee members and staff are authorized when the expenses are incurred incident to field examinations. There are two sources of funds available: (1) the funds available to congressional committees for travel related to studies and investigations; and (2) the appropriations of the particular agency whose programs and budget are being examined. Congress may request and accept the provision of transportation and other services by the Department of Defense (DOD) for carrying out committee field investigations. However, Federal regulations provide that the cost of these services should be reimbursed to DOD by the appropriate agency or by the concerned committee. Accordingly, GAO suggested that, in the future, advance arrangements be made with the agency whose programs are involved for reimbursement of the costs incurred, unless the committee decides to use its own funds.