Question on Approval of Payment for Salary of FTC Employee for Work Abroad

GAO was asked to provide an opinion on the authorized payment of salary for an employee of the Federal Trade Commission who was asked to work on a mission by the Department of State to work in Japan. GAO determined that according to the language of the Independent Offices Appropriation Act, the mission to Japan would be engaging in authorized activity of common interest to the Commission and the War and State Departments. Such a mission would appear to come within the law, and allow the Federal Trade Commission to use appropriations to pay the salary of the consultant while detailed to the mission.