[Proper Interpretation of the Fiscal Year 1985 Continuing Resolution]
Highlights
Pursuant to a direction included in a Senate report, GAO determined the proper interpretation of the Continuing Appropriations Act for 1985. GAO determined that the Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Refugee Resettlement is acting erroneously in deducting fiscal year 1984 funds from the sum appropriated for refugee and entrant-targeted assistance by the act.
B-219061, JUL 19, 1985
PRECIS-UNAVAILABLE
THE HONORABLE MARK HATFIELD: CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE DIRECTION TO THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL INCLUDED IN THE REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ON H.R. 2577, THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 1985. THE COMMITTEE CONCURRED IN AN EARLIER DIRECTION BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS TO THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL TO DETERMINE THE PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 1985 CONTINUING RESOLUTION, PUB.L.NO. 98-473, 98 STAT. 1873, OCTOBER 12, 1984, AS IT RELATES TO FUNDING FOR REFUGEE AND ENTRANT TARGETED ASSISTANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (ORR) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
BECAUSE OF THE WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN THIS MATTER, WE ELECTED TO RESPOND WITH THE ATTACHED DECISION, DATED JUNE 28, 1985. BRIEFLY, WE CONCLUDED THAT ORR IS ACTING ERRONEOUSLY IN DEDUCTING FISCAL YEAR 1984 CARRY-OVER FUNDS FROM THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR REFUGEE AND ENTRANT TARGETED ASSISTANCE BY THE FISCAL YEAR 1985 CONTINUING RESOLUTION.
THIS DECISION HAS BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.