In changing to the next presidential administration thousands of positions throughout the government will be filled, new lawmakers will enter the fray and DHS will experience its first major management overhaul since its creation during President Bush’s first term.
Making these transitions as seamlessly as possible is key to accomplishing the federal government’s many essential missions, GAO told the Senate federal workforce subcommittee recently.
It gave an overview of how it would seek to help Congress management the transition. GAO said it would provide congressional and executive branch policy makers with a comprehensive snapshot of how things are working across government and emphasize the need to update some federal activities.
GAO, whose input often informs legislative initiatives, said it would provide Congress and the executive branch with clear facts and constructive options and suggestions that elected officials can use to make policy choices.
That includes transition work highlighting the need to modernize the machinery of government through the better application of IT, financial management, human capital, and contracting practices, according to GAO-08-1153T.
It said GAO would also underscore the need to develop strategies for addressing the government’s serious long-term fiscal sustainability challenges, driven on the spending side primarily by escalating health care costs and changing demographics.