[DOJ FY 1988 Appropriations Act Mandates Specific Use of Earmarked Funds]

The Department of Justice (DOJ) requested an advance decision concerning whether it was required to make grant awards to two cities pursuant to the provisions of its fiscal year 1988 appropriation. GAO held that the act required DOJ to: (1) grant the awards to the cities for which the funds had been earmarked; or (2) justify its noncompliance under the provisions of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Accordingly, DOJ should make the grants.