Continuing Resolutions' Impact on DOD

A Continuing Resolution (CR) is a type of temporary appropriation act that provides budget authority to keep federal agencies or specific activities in operation when a regular appropriation act has not been enacted by the beginning of the fiscal year. In all but 4 of the last 49 fiscal years, the Department of Defense (DOD) has had to carry out its critical National Security Mission while operating under a CR. DOD officials from the selected activities and programs that GAO reviewed reported facing delays, increased costs, operational challenges, spending challenges, and administrative burdens as a result of CRs.