Defense Budget: Opportunities Exist to Improve DOD's Management of Defense Spending

Abstract

Decisions by DOD and Congress regarding long-term defense needs will have a meaningful impact on the nations fiscal future. As the single largest category of discretionary spending, defense spending is likely to play a large role in any discussion of future federal spending. GAO and others have found that DOD faces challenges that are likely to put pressure on its budget moving forward. DOD is the only major federal agency that has been unable to receive a clean audit opinion on its financial statements. This testimony provides information on how DOD can better manage defense spending, specifically related to its ability to (1) accurately estimate its budgetary requirements and execute its appropriated funds, (2) determine resource requirements related to overseas contingency operations, (3) reduce improper payments, and (4) sustain and refine department-wide reform efforts. For this testimony, GAO reviewed and summarized its recent work on DOD budget and financial management issues and departmental reform efforts.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 24, 2021
Accession Number
AD1150212

Entities

People

  • Elizabeth A. Field

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Budgets
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Discretionary Spending
  • Environment
  • Financial Management
  • Governments
  • House Of Representatives
  • Materials
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Personnel
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Public Health
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting