Progress in Improving Program and Budget Information for Congressional Use
PAD-81-88: Published: Sep 1, 1981. Publicly Released: Sep 1, 1981.
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GAO is required to report annually on the progress and results of its continuing program to improve the fiscal, budgetary, and program-related information reported to Congress.
GAO provided assistance to Congress on pending legislation that would: (1) reform oversight procedures and information; and (2) establish a commission to study ways of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of governmental operations. GAO has also established the Congressional Information Sources, Inventories, and Directories files, an automated database of current inventories of: (1) statutory requirements for recurring reports to Congress; (2) Federal program evaluation studies; (3) information sources and resources on fiscal, budgetary, and program matters; and (4) information systems containing data on such matters. During the last year, GAO continued its efforts to eliminate or modify statutory requirements for 235 reports to Congress. In recent years, GAO has been concerned about the excessive paperwork and burdensome mechanics of the zero-base budgeting (ZBB) process prescribed for Federal agencies. GAO noted in its reports that certain ZBB features were useful but suggested that detailed budget formulation analyses and documentation be restricted each year to certain programs on a rotating basis to coincide with congressional cycles of program reviews and reauthorization. The Office of Management and Budget has provided managers with new flexibility in the format and structure of their budget preparation work and eliminated requirements for ZBB preparations and submissions. GAO believes that this will improve budget formulation practices that could benefit Congress as well as the Executive Branch.
Dec 15, 2020
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Information on the Spending and Revenue Implications of Potential Debt TargetsGAO-21-211: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
A Long-Term Plan Is Needed for Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-21-161T: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Effective Use of Fiscal Rules and TargetsGAO-20-561: Published: Sep 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Jan 23, 2020
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Federal Trust Funds and Other Dedicated Funds:
Fiscal Sustainability Is a Growing Concern for Some Key FundsGAO-20-156: Published: Jan 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 23, 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
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State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2019 UpdateGAO-20-269SP: Published: Dec 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2019.
Nov 14, 2019
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Certificated Expenditures:
Executive Office of the President FY 2018 Certificated Expenditures Were Spent for Authorized PurposesGAO-20-139R: Published: Nov 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 14, 2019.
Oct 16, 2019
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Civilian Personnel:
Additional Guidance and Consistent Data Reporting Could Help Improve the Marine Corps' Budget ManagementGAO-20-148: Published: Oct 16, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 16, 2019.
Jun 26, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Actions Needed to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-19-611T: Published: Jun 26, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-19-314SP: Published: Apr 10, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Mar 27, 2019
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Fiscal Exposures:
Federal Insurance and Other Activities That Transfer Risk or Losses to the GovernmentGAO-19-353: Published: Mar 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2019.
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