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Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Senate Approves GAO Pay Raise, IG Legislation
 Just before slipping out the door for summer recess, the Senate passed by unanimous consent an amended version of the Government Accountability Act of 2008 (HR 5683) on Aug. 1. The bill, approved by the House on June 9, would enact a retroactive pay raise for employees affected by a pay structure change implemented in 2006; establish an inspector general's office in the GAO; and require the GAO to report to Congress on how cooperative the Executive branch with GAO investigators and auditors.
And amendment offered by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) to fund retirement contributions for the employees affected by the 2006 pay structure change was approved by the Senate will force the House to approve the modified version of the bill, which it is expected to do in September.
Congress is also on the way to approving legislation that would strengthen the GAO's ability to obtain information from the Exectutive branch. On July 29, the House passed by voice vote a bill that would give the GAO the ability to pursue civil action against the Executive branch in order to obtain information related to an investigation or audit. The Government Accountability Office Improvement Act (HR 6388) would also allow the GAO to interview federal employees under oath.
Posted by Craig Jennings
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