Bureau of Labor Statistics: Making the CPI More Reflective of Current Consumer Spending

GAO discussed whether the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) accurately reflects consumer spending, focusing on the: (1) need for and advantages of more frequent updating of the CPI expenditure weights; (2) nature of the work GAO is doing with regard to the CPI; and (3) BLS' coverage of CPI improvement efforts in its strategic plan and fiscal year (FY) 1999 annual performance plan.