From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov

Transcript for:
A Tribute to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro – Sen. Gary Peters


Description: 
Members of Congress share tributes to Gene L. Dodaro, thanking him for 52 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the nation. Their messages highlight GAO’s nonpartisan mission and Gene’s steady leadership in strengthening oversight, accountability, and good government. Learn more about GAO’s work at GAO.gov.


Released: December 2025

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Madam President, I rise to recognize the extraordinary public service of U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro, who will retire this month after a remarkable 52-year career at the Government Accountability Office. Comptroller General Dodaro spent more than half of his career in leadership roles, including nine years as chief operating officer before his confirmation in December of 2010 as Comptroller General. And during his tenure, he has shaped GAO into the high-performing organization that we rely on every day here in Congress.

Comptroller General Dodaro helped build an impressive team of scientists, cybersecurity analysts, and other experts to provide reliable and timely information to Congress on rapidly developing fields like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He has worked with Congress across multiple administrations on major management reform initiatives, and he directed the first-ever audit of the consolidated financial statements of the federal government.

I can speak personally about the indispensable role that Comptroller General Dodaro and the GAO staff have played in providing support to me and to my staff, especially in my work on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. It’s not just me that can attest to Comptroller General Dodaro’s leadership. GAO is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in federal government, a testament to the professionalism, the reliability, and the honesty that he has embodied as Comptroller General.

It’s absolutely critical that the next Comptroller General embody these same values. They must be professional and fair, willing to call balls and strikes regardless of which party occupies the White House. They must uphold the values of independence and nonpartisanship, and they must be ready to manage a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce.

Congress relies on the GAO to help safeguard taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse across federal programs, often seeing a return on investment of over $100 for every dollar invested in the GAO. They provide expert testimony on a range of issues, and the reports identify problematic areas and operational improvements to the federal government.

I look forward to working with Leader Thune, his GAC counterpart, Chairman Paul, and other members of the bipartisan Commission outlined in statute to initiate the appointment process and identify a suitable candidate to fill the very big shoes of Comptroller General Dodaro. He leaves a legacy of tremendous credibility, integrity, and independence at the GAO. And I think it’s critical that we work together in a bipartisan fashion to preserve this indispensable role that GAO plays as part of the legislative branch, helping to protect taxpayer dollars and hold the executive branch accountable.

Madam President, I commend the Comptroller General, Gene Dodaro, for his decades of outstanding public service. And I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Comptroller General Dodaro for his dedicated service to us and to the American taxpayers.

  
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