Investigating the use of public money
The Comptroller General shall—
investigate all matters related to the receipt, disbursement, and use of public money;
estimate the cost to the United States Government of complying with each restriction on expenditures of a specific appropriation in a general appropriation law and report each estimate to Congress with recommendations the Comptroller General considers desirable;
analyze expenditures of each executive agency the Comptroller General believes will help Congress decide whether public money has been used and expended economically and efficiently;
make an investigation and report ordered by either House of Congress or a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over revenue, appropriations, or expenditures; and
give a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over revenue, appropriations, or expenditures the help and information the committee requests.
Notes
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Historical and Revision Notes |
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|---|---|---|
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
712(1) | 31:53(a)(1st sentence words before 5th comma). | June 10, 1921, ch. 18, § 312(a)(1st sentence words before 5th comma), (b), 42 Stat. 25. |
712(2) | 31:59. | Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 753, §§ 205, 206(1st sentence), 60 Stat. 837. |
712(3) | 31:60(1st sentence). | |
712(4) | 31:53(b)(1st sentence). | |
712(5) | 31:53(b)(last sentence). |
Oversight and Audit Authority
Definitions.—
In this section—
the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and
the term ‘Comptroller General’ means the Comptroller General of the United States.
Authority.—
The Comptroller General shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the exercise of authorities, or the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds made available, under this Act [div. B of Pub. L. 116–136, see Tables for classification] or any other Act to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic and the effect of the pandemic on the health, economy, and public and private institutions of the United States, including public health and homeland security efforts by the Federal Government and the use of selected funds under this or any other Act related to the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic and a comprehensive audit and review of charges made to Federal contracts pursuant to authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act [Pub. L. 116–136, see Tables for classification].
Briefings and Reports.—
In conducting monitoring and oversight under subsection (b), the Comptroller General shall—
during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [
publish reports regarding the ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts, which, along with any audits and investigations conducted by the Comptroller General, shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees and posted on the website of the Government Accountability Office—
not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every other month thereafter until the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act; and
after the period described in subparagraph (A), on a periodic basis; and
submit to the appropriate congressional committees additional reports as warranted by the findings of the monitoring and oversight activities of the Comptroller General.
Access to Information.—
Right of access.—
In conducting monitoring and oversight activities under this section, the Comptroller General shall have access to records, upon request, of any Federal, State, or local agency, contractor, grantee, recipient, or subrecipient pertaining to any Federal effort or assistance of any type related to the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic under this Act or any other Act, including private entities receiving such assistance.
Copies.—
The Comptroller General may make and retain copies of any records accessed under paragraph (1) as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
Interviews.—
In addition to such other authorities as are available, the Comptroller General or a designee of the Comptroller General may interview Federal, State, or local officials, contractor staff, grantee staff, recipients, or subrecipients pertaining to any Federal effort or assistance of any type related to the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic under this or any other Act, including private entities receiving such assistance.
Inspection of facilities.—
As determined necessary by the Comptroller General, the Government Accountability Office may inspect facilities at which Federal, State, or local officials, contractor staff, grantee staff, or recipients or subrecipients carry out their responsibilities related to the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic.
Enforcement.—
Access rights under this subsection shall be subject to enforcement consistent with section 716 of title 31, United States Code.
Relationship to Existing Authority.—
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit, amend, supersede, or restrict in any manner any existing authority of the Comptroller General.”