From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov Transcript for: GAO: How GAO Can Help Congress Description: A brief introduction to GAO specifically for our clients--the Members of Congress and their staffs. Released: December 2018 [ Background Music ] >> [ GAO logo appears on a white background with the words "Serving the 116th Congress" below it. ] The Government Accountability Office, GAO, [ Video of the front of GAO headquarters comes up with people entering and exiting the building ] is an independent agency in the legislative branch that helps [ Over the front of the building comes the GAO logo with the bullet points that say, "Audits All Federal Funds, Covers Full Range of Government Operations, Expert Testimony to Congress" as pictures of Gene fade in and out on the right side ] Congress fulfill its legislative and oversight responsibilities. At the request of Congress, or by requirements in legislation, [ video of 6 people sitting around a conference table exchanging papers ] GAO audits federal agencies and programs to assess how well they are working, and their fiscal performance. >> [ A video of Gene talking to the camera appears ] Hello, I'm Gene Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, and head of the GAO. GAO, often the Congressional Watchdog, provides Congress, the heads of executive agencies, [ Video of shots of GAO directors testifying on the Hill ] and the public with trusted analysis of government spending, programs, and operations. [ Video of the front of the Capitol ] The timely, fact-based, nonpartisan information and analysis we provide can be a [ Graphic of a money feeding a medicine bag and the bag draining into a hospital graphic. ] great resource to new members of Congress. Our work and [ Cash beings popping up and filling the screen ] recommendations are used to improve government, and save taxpayers billions of dollars each year. [ Video of Gene talking to the camera ]In fiscal year 2017, for example, we returned 128 taxpayer dollars for every dollar of our budget. The breadth and scope [ Images of different government agencies appear ] of our work ranges across the entire government. Last year we issued over [ videos of GAO directors testifying ] 658 reports and testified before 45 different committees across Congress on a wide range of issues. [ Video of Gene talking to the camera ] I would like to stress that GAO can help you in multiple ways as you begin your term as a new member of Congress. [ videos of congressional hearings ] As you assume your legislative responsibilities, and committee assignments, our subject matter experts can bring you and your team up to speed on policy and management issues ranging from defense to disaster assistance. [ Photos of GAO staffers on the audit trail ] Wherever federal dollars go, GAO goes. So our expertise is broad. [ Picture of "Accountability, integrity, reliability" that is on the front of GAO appears ] Our core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability are reflected in all the work we do. >> [ Panoramic video of the front of GAO headquarters ] We support congressional oversight [ Photos of GAO staffers in the field or in the office appear as bullets list the main operations of GAO ] by auditing agency operations to determine whether federal funds are being spent efficiently and effectively. Reporting on how well government programs and policies are working as intended. And on ways to improve government performance and accountability. Performing policy analyses and outlining options for congressional consideration. And issuing legal decisions and opinions-- such as rulings on federal contracting disputes, appropriations law, and reports on agency rules. [ Pictures of the cover sheets of reports appears ] Since 2002, GAO also has provided direct support to Congress in the area of technology assessment of emerging science and technologies. Currently we are enhancing our technology and science function by created a new, more prominent office within GAO to provide this service to members of Congress and their staff. >>[ Video of Gene talking to the Camera ] While we issue a number of reports throughout the year, I would also like to draw your attention to two bodies of work in particular, both of which will be updated early in the 116th Congress. [ Images of the high risk page and of our annual reports on our website appear ] Our High Risk List calls attention to agencies and program areas across government that are vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or are in most need of transformation. Our annual reports on duplication and cost savings also present opportunities to reduce fragmentation, overlap of duplication, and increase revenue for the federal government. Combined, the work highlighted in these [ Video of Gene talking to the camera ] reports has produced more than $400 billion in financial benefits. [ Background Music ] >>[ Video of GAO's Congressional Protocols manual ] Members of Congress can request our work, and requests are accepted according to the priorities and our congressional protocols, which emphasize committee's oversight and legislative responsibilities. [ Video of people talking appears with bullets listing the services we offer to congress ] We also offer a range of services to members and their staff, including access to experts, briefings on issued work, and quick turnaround support and technical briefings to get you and your staff up to speed on any issue we cover. [ A picture of our "Information For Congress" page on our website ]Specific information for members of Congress and detailed instructions on how to work with GAO are available on the Watchdog website. [ Video of someone using the GAO app on a cell phone ] We also have a website and mobile app to make it easy for members to access our reports. And we make our work [ Picture of the GAO Twitter, Facebook, and our website ] available on the social and digital media platforms that you and your staffers are already using, like Twitter and Facebook. And there is a special section of our website that focuses on recommendations GAO has made for changes across government. [ People shaking hands outside of the Capitol and walking away ] We look forward to working with you and continuing to help the Congress meet its constitutional responsibilities. [ "GAO.gov" appears on a white background ].