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B-200685 1 (1981-11-20)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabjaq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES • WASHINGTON D.C. tOSS B- 200685 Novemter 20, 1981 The Honorable William V. Roth, Jr. Chairman, Committee on Governmental Affairs United States Senate Dear K4r. Chairman: __ r.....g This responds to the Committee's invitation to GAO to comment on issuee raised during the recent hearing held on the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act. Specifically, we were asked to present our views on the Impoundment Control Act and on changes to the Act which would improve its operation. Our comments are made in the context of the current budgetary process, in which budgets and most appropriation; are provided on an annual basis. They do not reflect any changes to the Impoundment Control Act that might be desired if the current process is changed to provide for a biennial budget cycle., GAO has been heavily involved in the operation of the Act as the agency responsible for reviewing and reporting to the Congress on Presid'ntial impoundments. Specifically, GAO reviews Presidential messages tupporting proposed impoundments to the Congress. We issue impoundment reports under section 1014 of the Act as to the accuracy and implications of the infor- mation contained in the messages. Section 1015 authorizes the Comptroller General to report to the Congress any impoundment which the President has failed to report. Under this and other sections of the Act, he may reclassify impoundments which have been improperly reported. Section 1016 authorizes the Comptrol- ler General to bring suit to compel the release of impounded funds when such release is required by the Act. GAO also responds to numerous formal and informal congressional inquiries concerning the operation of the Act. Although we have-periodically identified problem areas and have proposed appropriate legislativo changes, we believe the basic framework of the Act is sound. GENESIS OF THE IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT Attempts by the President to impound appropriated funds have been the subject of long-standing debate between the execu- tive and legislative branches. Impoundments cons'st generally of two types--(l) routine reserves to insure that ,deficiencies will not occur or to set aside unneeded funds, and (2) withhold- ings to effectuate executive policy by deferring or canceling implementation of particular programs. / 0oA owe0.

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