Authority of District Court To Enforce Agency-Signed Consent Agreements

An opinion was requested as to whether it is ever within the authority of a district court to enforce a consent judgment which restricts the means by which an agency will meet its mandatory responsibilities. GAO believes that, if a consent agreement is entered into in good faith on the part of the agency with due consideration as to lawfulness and public policy, it is a proper and valuable tool for the government. Therefore, GAO would argue in the affirmative as to the authority of a district court to enforce agency-signed consent agreements.