Status of Budget Authority
OGC-86-7: Published: Mar 4, 1986. Publicly Released: Mar 4, 1986.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
As required by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, GAO advised Congress of the status of budget authority which the President is withholding contrary to the act.
GAO found that, pursuant to the act, the President reported a deferral of funds appropriated to the Department of Energy (DOE) for the development, operation, and maintenance of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. However, Congress passed supplemental appropriation legislation that expressly disapproved the deferral and directed that the funds be made available for obligation. Under the act, funds proposed for deferral must be made available for obligation if either house of Congress passes an impoundment resolution disapproving the deferral. GAO believes that the current withholding of funds is in violation of both the act and the supplemental appropriation and asked DOE to advise it when the funds would be released. DOE stated that it needed to examine certain legal issues before releasing the funds. The act authorizes the Comptroller General to institute litigation that requires the release of budget authority and to file an explanation with Congress on the action contemplated; however, litigation may not begin until the expiration of 25 calendar days of continuous congressional session after the date on which the explanation was filed. Because of an interruption in the congressional session, GAO may not take litigative action until April 11, 1986.
Jun 28, 2018
U.S. Postal Service:
Projected Capital Spending and Processes for Addressing Uncertainties and RisksGAO-18-515: Published: Jun 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
Jun 21, 2018
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-18-299SP: Published: Jun 21, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 21, 2018.
Apr 3, 2018
-
Defense Budget:
Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Foreign Currency FundsGAO-18-221: Published: Apr 3, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 3, 2018.
Feb 6, 2018
-
Budget Issues:
Continuing Resolutions and Other Budget Uncertainties Present Management ChallengesGAO-18-368T: Published: Feb 6, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2018.
Oct 12, 2017
-
Public Relations Spending:
Selected Agencies' Activities Supported by Contracts and Public Affairs StaffGAO-17-711: Published: Sep 12, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 12, 2017.
Oct 2, 2017
-
U.S. Territories:
Public Debt OutlookGAO-18-160: Published: Oct 2, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2017.
Sep 20, 2017
-
Budget Issues:
Budget Uncertainty and Disruptions Affect Timing of Agency SpendingGAO-17-807T: Published: Sep 20, 2017. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2017.
May 3, 2017
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-579T: Published: May 3, 2017. Publicly Released: May 3, 2017.
Jan 18, 2017
-
Overseas Contingency Operations:
OMB and DOD Should Revise the Criteria for Determining Eligible Costs and Identify the Costs Likely to Endure Long TermGAO-17-68: Published: Jan 18, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 18, 2017.
Jan 17, 2017
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-237SP: Published: Jan 17, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 17, 2017.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Budget and Spending
Explore our other Key Issues here
