GAO Seeks 15% Budget Increase, Defends Rapid Legal Opinion on EPA Waivers

Comptroller General Dodaro told the House Appropriations subcommittee the Government Accountability Office is requesting nearly $934,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, a roughly 15% increase from enacted FY2025 funding, to support GAO’s audit work, cybersecurity defenses and facility needs.

The request matters, Dodaro said, because GAO provides Congress with audits and reviews that identify savings and reduce waste: “we returned handsomely on that investment last year as a result of implementation of our savings over $68,000,000,000,” he told the panel, adding that “we've returned $123 for every dollar that you've given us.” The agency also asked for independent leasing authority for its field offices and money to maintain its headquarters building.

GAO’s budget request came under scrutiny after Dodaro’s office issued a rapid, 8‑day set of “observations” about whether Environmental Protection Agency waivers to California under the Clean Air Act were rules subject to the Congressional Review Act. Chairman Valadao questioned why GAO weighed in so quickly and whether the letter departed from past practice. Dodaro said the office responded to requests from three members of Congress asking GAO to clarify prior decisions and that the product was explanatory rather than a new legal determination: “we were asked to clarify our previous legal decisions,” he said, adding that his office would provide supporting examples for the record.

Members pressed GAO on cybersecurity and staffing. Dodaro told the panel GAO is seeing more malicious activity directed at its website and needs additional resources to strengthen defenses. He also said staff levels have declined while demand from Congress remains high; GAO reported receiving more than 600 requests for assistance annually, including statutory mandates such as those in the National Defense Authorization Act and other reauthorizations.

In response to questions about GAO transparency work, GAO staff said the office has issued legal opinions and clarifications when asked by members and committees. Representative Quigley and others asked whether GAO had coordinated with the Senate parliamentarian on the CRA matter; Dodaro said his staff had not spoken with the parliamentarian about this specific issue and offered to answer follow‑up questions for the record.

The subcommittee did not take a vote on the requests during the hearing. GAO’s written testimony and the letter at issue were entered into the record and members indicated they will submit additional questions.

The hearing closed after members from both parties questioned witnesses and pledged follow‑up. GAO asked the committee to consider the FY2026 request to preserve its capacity to deliver audits, oversight and legal views to Congress.