Document Requests: Response Time to Congressional Committees Could Be Improved
HRD-87-45
Published: Apr 24, 1987. Publicly Released: Apr 24, 1987.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) procedures for responding to congressional requests for FDA documents.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Drug Administration | FDA should provide written guidance to OLA and other FDA offices on their roles and responsibilities for responding to congressional committee requests for documents. Such guidance should include a requirement that two sets of copies of requested documents be made at the same time. |
FDA issued internal guidance to OLA and other offices regarding their roles and responsibilities in responding to congressional committees.
|
| Food and Drug Administration | FDA should direct OLA to not delay providing documents to the requester due to reviewing and questioning trade-secret determinations made by the Centers. |
FDA disagreed with this recommendation and does not intend to implement it.
|
| Food and Drug Administration | FDA should require OLA to notify committees of reasons for delays, and attempt to negotiate a revised date when necessary. A record of these contacts should be made in OLA files, including agreements reached. |
FDA instructed its legislative staff to negotiate new dates, when necessary, in its internal guidance developed for use in responding to congressional committee requests for information.
|
| Food and Drug Administration | FDA should require OLA to establish internal target dates for offices to meet in carrying out their responsibilities and require the Centers and other offices to either adhere to target dates or inform OLA of the reasons for any delays. |
FDA disagreed with this recommendation and does not intend to implement it.
|
| Food and Drug Administration | FDA should require OLA to release documents by the agreed-to due date in cases where documents would be delayed because the listing has not been completed. OLA should alert the committees and the ranking minority members that the listing is being prepared and will be provided later. |
FDA disagreed with this recommendation and does not intend to implement it.
|
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