[Authority To Expend Appropriated Funds for Lodging and Transportation Costs]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked whether it is authorized to expend appropriated funds to pay travel and lodging expenses of State officials to attend a proposed workshop on odometer fraud. GAO held that, while it supports attendance at the proposed odometer fraud workshop, transportation and lodging costs are not essential for carrying out the purpose of the program. Further, NHTSA has no statutory authority to pay for such costs. Accordingly, such expenditures are not authorized.