The Government Accountability Office has asked Congress for $618.2 million to fund operations at the federal watchdog agency in fiscal 2018.GAO said Wednesday the funds would help the agency maintain a staffing level of 3,100 full-time employees to address the agency’s need for increased attention in areas such as improper government payments, tax gap and the impact of rapid science and technology development on policy.
The agency added it plans to offset spending with $27.5 million in reimbursements from rental income and program and financial audits, which will lead to a net budget request of $590.7 million.
GAO’s efforts in FY 2016 resulted to approximately $63 billion in financial benefits to the federal government as well as more than 2,071 recommendations that led to 1,234 program and operational updates across the government, the report noted.
The agency also published 697 reports and responded to requests from 95 percent of Congress’ standing full committees in FY 2016.
