Today, Gene Dodaro, the comptroller general of the Government Accountability Office, is presenting a new report on Capitol Hill highlighting areas within the government that require enhancements and are at high risk of inefficiency, fraud, and misuse. This report offers a traditional viewpoint on a pressing issue, particularly during the current focus on government efficiency spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The updated report showcases a staggering $84 billion in savings achieved over the last two years due to Congress and the executive branch implementing numerous recommendations from the GAO. While Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been vocal about alleged savings and cost-cutting measures, the GAO, as the established government watchdog, maintains a team of over 3,000 auditors and analysts dedicated to improving government operations and identifying instances of fraud and abuse.
While there are some shared priorities between Musk’s department and the GAO, including the need to modernize air traffic control and reform the U.S. Postal Service, there are key areas that have not been addressed by Musk’s team. These include reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program, federal prison overhaul, enhancements to federal disability programs, and restructuring NASA’s contracting procedures.
In certain instances, Musk’s initiatives contradict concerns raised by the GAO. For example, despite showcasing potential areas of fraud, the GAO emphasizes that the federal government is consistently missing out on potential revenue opportunities. The recent reduction of IRS staff, for instance, comes at a time when the agency is unable to recover billions in unpaid taxes and is facing significant losses due to identity theft.
Dodaro will emphasize a new area of focus in the report: disaster relief. With a repeated strain on resources caused by multiple disasters, especially in 2024 with 27 events causing over a billion dollars in damages each, there is a need for federal agencies to streamline assistance efforts and minimize financial risks. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, a key player in disaster relief efforts, is facing potential staff cuts despite the GAO’s recommendation for increased oversight of disaster recovery funds.
Overall, the GAO report serves as a critical evaluation of government operations, highlighting areas of improvement and the importance of efficient resource allocation in addressing key challenges faced by federal agencies.
It is crucial to be prepared for disasters, such as monitoring progress in disaster recovery to ensure that the needs of disaster survivors are met promptly. A spokesperson from HUD conveyed to NBC News that the ongoing disaster recovery efforts will remain unaffected. As a legislative body, the GAO carries out audits of all federal entities. Typically, members of Congress task the GAO with auditing governmental programs like DOGE. Accordingly, the GAO has accepted three requests to audit DOGE, all of which have been submitted by Democrats. These requests include examining DOGE’s interactions with federal payment systems, assessing the IT systems of three government agencies, and reviewing FEMA’s data and payment systems.
The retirement of Dodaro, who marked his last testimony before Congress in his current role on Tuesday, was recognized by members from both sides of the aisle who expressed gratitude for his many years of service. In response to inquiries regarding DOGE and the recent termination of federal employees, Dodaro revealed that a significant portion of his career was spent challenging bureaucratic obstacles. He emphasized the importance of implementing changes thoughtfully, especially when it comes to workforce reductions in the federal government. Dodaro suggested that before carrying out layoffs, the government should identify functions it no longer wishes to provide and then determine the appropriate course of action for personnel in those positions.
Furthermore, Dodaro highlighted the necessity for maintaining, and in certain cases increasing, the number of federal workers in specific areas. These areas include offering mental health support to veterans, inspecting foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers, and conducting EPA assessments of hazardous substances.
