With a budget cut by 8.2% since fiscal year 2010 piggy-backed by sequester, GAO is hard pressed to do any more with less.
Welcome Mr. Dodaro. The last hearing we had when I was Chair of the subcommittee you were still in an Acting position.
I am pleased you were confirmed in late 2010 and GAO has an experienced leader as the government faces many challenges.
Two years ago you sat in front of this subcommittee and asked for a budget to maintain 3,270 Full Time equivalents.
Well it has been a long two years since I served on this subcommittee, because with sequester looming your testimony states you expect to only have 2,875 FTE.
This is despite that GAO's Congressional work has only slightly tapered off, with 924 requests from Congress in fiscal year 2012.
I know your analysts take great pride in their work and work under timeline pressure from Members and Committees requesting your analysis. We usually want our requests filled immediately as we work in an environment that changes hourly.
But with a budget cut by 8.2% since fiscal year 2010 piggy-backed by sequester, GAO is hard pressed to do any more with less.
Your agency and others will have to do less with less and explain the impacts to those seeking and needing your expertise.
I believe your mission is well understood by most Members and most support your work in uncovering waste and finding savings within agencies, including those in the legislative branch.
GAO helped this subcommittee complete the Capitol Visitors Center construction and stave off more cost overruns. GAO continues to help us review the Capitol Police's radio modernization project.
We know first-hand on this subcommittee that you save the taxpayers money with the work you do. More cuts to GAO are the embodiment of the phrase "Penny wise and pound foolish."
As you lead GAO through these tough budgetary times, you more than many agencies must ensure that the work you are able to do remains above reproach.
I would rather you take on less work and maintain the quality of your analysis for the work you are able to accept. As you put other agency's programs on your annual watch list we need to ensure that sequester does not put your agency on that very same list.
Thank you Mr. Chairman and Mr. Dodaro I look forward to your testimony.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
