GAO still encounters delays in access to federal agencies

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Source: The Hill

Numerous government agencies are denying the investigative arm of Congress access to information, despite repeated attempts by officials and lawmakers to remedy the situation, according to a letter sent this week and obtained by The Hill.

Officials with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) say that access within executive-branch agencies has improved somewhat since The Hill first wrote about the issue seven months ago.

But despite the modest improvements, the GAO continues to encounter scores of delays and denials in trying to obtain information, according to a letter acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro sent to senators on Tuesday.

“There are areas where GAO continues to encounter access issues,” Dodaro said in the letter to Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). “Some of these are agency-specific, stemming from longstanding processes and procedures that impede our access; others reflect misinterpretations of GAO’s authorities.”

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The GAO also remains hopeful the Government Accountability Improvement Act will remedy the situation. The measure — sponsored by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) — passed the House earlier this year and would resolve many of the GAO’s access issues with these government agencies, Dodaro writes.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/103717-gao-still-encounters-delays-in-access