Bill > S2849

This bill, the GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2016, strengthens the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) ability to access federal agency records necessary for its duties, which include audits, evaluations, and investigations. It explicitly states that no part of the Social Security Act can be used to limit the GAO's authority to get information or inspect records related to an agency's responsibilities, powers, activities, organization, or financial dealings, nor can it prevent the GAO from obtaining other records it needs. Furthermore, agencies must now report their actions or planned actions in response to GAO recommendations to both the relevant congressional committees and the GAO itself. The bill also grants the Comptroller General, the head of the GAO, the explicit authority to obtain agency records and even pursue civil lawsuits to compel an agency to produce them if necessary, with courts expected to uphold this authority.