FAQs
In 1995 and 1996, Congress enacted two laws that transferred several claims functions from GAO to other government agencies. You can learn more about these functions here.
Upon issuance of an appropriations law decision, GAO makes appropriations decisions available here.
Agency heads and certifying or disbursing officers may request decisions pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3529. In addition, members and congressional committees may request appropriations decisions.
Agencies must submit their requests in letter form. The request must be addressed to the Comptroller General or GAO’s General Counsel, and signed by an authorized official. For more information, see GAO’s Protocols for Legal Decisions and Opinions. For further information on submitting requests for decisions, please contact Shirley A. Jones (jonessa@gao.gov), Managing Associate General Counsel for Appropriations Law.
Chapters of the 3rd and 4th Editions of the Red Book are available electronically here.
Please send an e-mail to: redbook@gao.gov. The question will be assigned to one of our appropriations law attorneys who will set up a call to discuss it. Any guidance provided by our attorneys does not represent a formal GAO conclusion. For that, you should request a formal decision.
You can browse agency reports on violations of the Antideficiency Act here. This page also includes a summary of the requirements of the Antideficiency Act.
Yes. We offer a 2-1/2 day, in-person course and a 5-1/2 hour virtual course on appropriations law. Information about the Principles of Appropriations Law Course is available here.