[Effect of Debt Collection Act on Government's Common Law Rights]

GAO commented on the effect of sections 10 and 11 of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 on the Government's common law rights to use administrative offset and to assess interest with respect to debts owed to the United States by State and local governments. GAO reviewed the statutory language, the legislative history, and the overall legislative purpose of the act to substantiate its position that the act does not abrogate pre-existing common law rights beyond the extent required by its terms.