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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Government Accountability Office
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A quick definition of Government Accountability Office:
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a group that makes sure that the money that Congress gives to different parts of the government is being used the way it's supposed to be. They check to see if everything is being done correctly, but they don't have the power to punish anyone if they find something wrong. Instead, they tell Congress, the president, and the people who did something wrong what they found out. The GAO is led by the Comptroller General of the United States.
A more thorough explanation:
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a government agency responsible for ensuring that the funds allocated by Congress are used for their intended purposes. GAO conducts audits and investigations to ensure that government agencies are using taxpayer money wisely and efficiently.
However, GAO has limited enforcement power. It cannot impose fines, issue injunctions, or pursue criminal proceedings. Instead, GAO reports its findings to Congress, the president, and the relevant agencies.
For example, if GAO finds that a government agency has misused funds, it will report its findings to Congress and the agency in question. The agency may then be required to take corrective action to address the issue.
The Comptroller General of the United States heads the GAO.
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