Government Accountability Office (GAO)
The independent, nonpartisan agency that audits federal spending, investigates how taxpayer dollars are used, and reports findings to Congress.
How It Works
GAO is often called the "congressional watchdog." It conducts financial audits, program evaluations, and investigations at the request of Congress. GAO reports have identified billions in improper payments, wasteful spending, and program failures. The agency also maintains the "High Risk List" — programs with the greatest vulnerability to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. GAO bid protests provide contractors a formal mechanism to challenge contract award decisions. GAO's findings are nonbinding but carry significant weight — agencies implement the majority of GAO recommendations.
Related Terms
- Inspector General (IG) — An independent official within each federal agency who investigates fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement — reporting to both the agency head and Congress.
- USASpending.gov — The official U.S. government website that tracks all federal spending — contracts, grants, loans, and other financial assistance — searchable by agency, recipient, and location.
Explore Federal Spending
About This Definition
This definition is part of the TaxDollarData Federal Spending Glossary — 31 terms explaining how the U.S. government spends taxpayer money. All definitions are written in plain language for taxpayers, journalists, contractors, and researchers.