The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has passed HR-5683, the “Government Accountability Office Act of 2008,” which attempts to address pay and personnel matters, access to information and internal operations at the government’s main oversight agency.
The bill would require specified minimum percentage pay increases and lump sum back payments for certain GAO officers and employees. After putting in place a new personnel system GAO had determined that some of its investigators were paid at above market rates and passed them over for raises. This was unpopular and contributed to the unionization of much of the GAO workforce.
The bill would also install an inspector general at GAO, and calls on the comptroller general to report to Congress on whether agencies are cooperating with audits.
