GAO Identifies Major Opportunity: Implementing Open Recommendations Could Deliver $132 to $251 Billion in Future Savings

Three accountability reports highlight overlapping challenges and underscore the urgent need for congressional and agency action. 
 
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2026) — The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released new analyses that paint a striking picture of both progress and unrealized potential in federal government accountability. Drawn from three new reports, GAO finds meaningful strides the federal government has taken in reducing waste and improving efficiency — but also reveals hundreds of billions of dollars in savings and critical policy reforms that remain on the table. Taken together, GAO estimates that acting on open recommendations to Congress and federal agencies could yield between $132 billion and $251 billion in future savings — funds that could be redirected toward national priorities or applied to deficit reduction. 

“We’ve already shown that these recommendations can deliver real results—hundreds of billions in savings and improved services,” said Orice W. Brown, Acting Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO. “What this work makes clear is that even more is within reach if additional recommendations are implemented.” 

GAO’s annual Duplication and Cost Savings report identifies federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives that have potentially duplicative goals or activities and opportunities to reduce costs or boost revenues. Since 2011, Congressional and agency action in these areas has yielded about $774 billion in financial benefits. This year's report added 97 new recommendations for Congress and federal agencies.  

GAO makes new recommendations to Congress and federal agencies on an ongoing basis and maintains an inventory of past and new recommendations awaiting implementation. These open recommendations—which include open matters for congressional consideration—span a wide range of topics including defense, economic development, energy, federal financial management, health, and information technology and represent significant opportunities to improve government efficiency and effectiveness.  

Notable recommendations that we highlight in these reports with financial savings potential of $1 billion or more include: 

• Medicare Payments by Place of Service: Congress should consider directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to equalize payment rates between medical settings for evaluation and management office visits, returning the potential associated savings of $156.9 billion over the course of 10 years to the Medicare program. 

• Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congress should reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority before it expires in 2027. This action would ensure the continuity of the public-safety broadband network and collection of potential revenues of $15 billion over 15 years. 

• Disability Insurance Benefits: Congress should consider passing legislation to require the Social Security Administration to offset Disability Insurance benefits for any Unemployment Insurance benefits received in the same period. This action could result in $2.2 billion over 10 years.  

• Navy Shipbuilding: The Navy could achieve billions of dollars in cost savings by improving its acquisition practices and ensuring that ships can be efficiently sustained. 

These annual GAO reports released today collectively underscore opportunities that, if acted on, have the potential for substantial financial savings as well as additional benefits, such as reduced mismanagement, fraud, waste, and abuse. The status of GAO’s recommendations can be followed on its Duplication and Cost Savings page and on the GAO website. 

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The Government Accountability Office, known as the investigative arm of Congress, is an independent, nonpartisan agency that exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO also works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to the American people. The agency examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO provides Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonideological, fair, and balanced. GAO's commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.