GAO. The arm of Congress that investigates the performance of the federal government....

The General Accounting Office is the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of Congress. GAO exists to support the Congress in meeting its Constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds, evaluates federal programs and activities, and provides analyses, options, recommendations, and other assistance to help the Congress make effective oversight, policy, and funding decisions. In this context, GAO works to continuously improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the federal government through financial audits, program reviews and evaluations, analyses, legal opinions, investigations, and other services. GAO's activities are designed to ensure the executive branch's accountability to the Congress under the Constitution and the government's accountability to the American people. GAO is dedicated to good government through its commitment to the core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.

Independent, non-political agency in the legislative branch. Serves as the investigating agency for Congress, carries out legal, accounting and auditing functions, makes recommendations for more effective government operations. Germane - Pertaining to the purpose of the bill in question.

An agency of Congress that investigates the operations of various programs and the expenditure of appropriated funds. Most investigations are conducted at the request of Congressional committees or individual members of Congress.

Congressional support agency that reviews and evaluates the management of Federal programs and activities, primarily at the request of individual members of Congress.

The GAO's primary objective is to study programs and expenditures of the federal government. GAO, commonly called the investigative arm of Congress, or the congressional watchdog, is independent and nonpartisan. It studies how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. The GAO evaluates federal programs, audits federal expenditures, and issues legal opinions. When the GAO reports its findings to Congress it recommends actions the agencies can undertake to correct or improve its respective outcome measures.

investigative arm of legislative branch of federal government (Congress).

Accounting and auditing office of the United States government. An independent agency that reviews federal financial transactions and reports directly to Congress.

A support agency that serves as the investigative arm of Congress. Provides reports to members and staff on audits and evaluations of federal agencies and programs.