Government Oversight
GAO AUDIT REPORTS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
What is the GAO?
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is Congress's nonpartisan watchdog. It audits federal spending, evaluates government programs, and investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. GAO reports are the gold standard for understanding how taxpayer money is actually being spent — and where it's being wasted.
Every year the GAO identifies tens of billions of dollars in potential savings. Their reports are used by congressional committees, journalists, and advocacy organizations to hold federal agencies accountable.
Follow Your Tax Dollars
GAO tracks how federal agencies spend your money. Find out which programs are delivering results and which are wasting billions.
Hold Agencies Accountable
These reports reveal when federal programs fail, when agencies ignore the law, and when oversight is needed most.
Fuel Your Advocacy
Reference specific GAO findings when writing to Congress. Nothing strengthens a letter like citing the government's own auditors.
How to Use GAO Reports
Reference in a Letter
Citing a GAO report in your letter to Congress shows you've done your homework. Use the “Use in Letter” button to pre-fill your draft with the report details.
GO TO LETTER DRAFTING →Share With Local Media
Local journalists love GAO reports — they're authoritative, nonpartisan, and full of specific findings. Send relevant reports to your local paper's news desk with a note about the local impact.
FIND LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS →File a FOIA Request
GAO reports often reference underlying documents that aren't public. Use FOIA to request the raw data, internal memos, or agency responses that informed the audit.
VISIT FOIAFORGE →UNDERSTANDING GAO REPORT TYPES
Financial audits of federal agencies — did they spend money legally and effectively?
Deep dives into whether government programs are achieving their goals.
Fraud, waste, and abuse investigations often requested by congressional committees.
When GAO officials testify before Congress about their findings and recommendations.