Gives Congress Its List
GAO: Plenty to Fix In Federal Gov't

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

The U.S. Government Accountability Office reacted to midterm election results by mailing a list of improvements it hoped to see in the Federal Government to Congress.

"There is a need to engage in a fundamental review, reprioritization and reengineering of the base of government," wrote GAO Comptroller David Walker in his Nov. 17 letter.

Key Reforms

He urged Congress to step up its oversight on computer security, contracting issues, the political appointment process, financial management reforms and other changes to workplace procedures.

The GAO traditionally releases a list of high-risk issues and inefficient programs and initiatives at the start of every Congress.

Mr. Walker said he sent his letter as a supplement to the high-risk list that will be out next year.

"To the extent that we can provide more timely information after an election, we can help facilitate more timely and informed agenda-setting," Mr. Walker told the Federal Times, a D.C.-based paper covering Capitol Hill. "It's very clear the American people are looking for results. We want to do everything we can to continue to put Congress in the position to make timely or more evidence-based opinions."

Some Old Chestnuts

Mr. Walker's letter went to the heads of both political parties, chairmen and ranking minority members of Congressional appropriations committees, the House Government Reform Committee, and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

He divided into three categories the 36 issues that he felt need more oversight: near-term review, policies and programs requiring fundamental reform and issues needing long-term governance.

Some of the topics have been on the high-risk lists before, such as addressing government-wide acquisitions, contracting issues, transforming business operations at the Defense Department and U.S. Postal Service, and modernization efforts put forward by the Bush Administration that sought to change the Federal Government's approach to its work force.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department needs a more effective "integration and transformation," according to Mr. Walker, as well as a more strategic vision for preparing for, responding to and recovering from national emergencies.

Both Homeland Security and the DOD would benefit from term appointments to chief management officer positions, Mr. Walker said. He asked Congress to reexamine the political appointment process, noting that in certain positions it would be beneficial to have appointees with "an appropriate degree of professional competence."

He stressed the need for Federal agencies to get involved in the oversight effort, and asked that Congress approach the task with a constructive spirit.

"Related hearings and other activities should offer opportunities for leading Federal agencies to share best practices and facilitate governmentwide transformation," he wrote. "They should also hold people accountable for delivering positive results in an economical, efficient, ethical and equitable manner."