Report to the Congress: Funding Gaps Jeopardize Federal Government Operations
Abstract
Interruptions in Federal agency funding at the beginning of the fiscal year and operating on continuing resolutions have become the norm rather than the exception. Over the past 20 years, 85 percent of the appropriations bills for Federal agencies have passed after the start of the fiscal year. During the usual deliberations process on appropriations for fiscal year 1981, it became clear that a funding gap might develop. In response to the Presidents request for an opinion of the Antideficiency Act, the Attorney General ruled that the Act required agencies to terminate operations when appropriations expire, and promised to enforce the criminal penalties of the Act in cases of future will full violation. This resulted in substantial confusion throughout the Federal Government. GAO recommends that Congress enact permanent legislation to allow all agencies to incur obligations, but not expend funds, when appropriation expire (except where a programs authorization has expired or Congress has expressly indicated otherwise).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 1981
- Accession Number
- AD1100770
Entities
People
- Elmer B. Staats
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office