Legislative Developments

Recent legislative developments have included: (1) amendments to the Farm Credit Act which require that GAO conduct an evaluation of the programs and activities authorized under the Act; (2) amendments to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act which provide for the establishment of programs in urban areas and rural communities to make health services more accessible to Indian populations; and (3) the establishment of the African Development Foundation which is a wholly owned Government corporation subject to GAO audit. Recent legislation which has been proposed following GAO recommendations has included: (1) an act to establish a committee to coordinate the sharing of medical resources between facilities of the Veterans Administration and those of the Department of Defense; (2) legislation which requires an annual audit by GAO of House Members' and committees' accounts; (3) the establishment of a Department of Justice Office of Audits; and (4) legislation to enhance the ability of the Government to collect delinquent taxes and give the Government new tools and incentives to strengthen lagging debt collection efforts.