[Comments on Legislation Pertaining to Comptroller General Investigative Authority]

In response to a congressional request, GAO commented on S. 1975, a bill which would: (1) enhance the ability of GAO to respond to congressional needs for expeditious investigations of fraud, abuse, or other matters related to federal activities involving violations of criminal or civil law; and (2) establish an advisory commission on law enforcement and designate the Comptroller General as its chairman. GAO: (1) endorsed the provisions with the exception of a section which authorized the Comptroller General to compel testimony of persons outside of the federal government; and (2) suggested that Congress not designate the Comptroller General as the chairman of the commission or as a member, but that it assign GAO the responsibility for providing information and evaluations to support the commission's work.