Congressional and Presidential Transition
GAO provides key materials to help the next Congress and the incoming administration address some of the federal government’s most pressing issues.
GAO provides key materials to help the next Congress and the incoming administration address some of the federal government’s most pressing issues. As a trusted source for fact-based, nonpartisan information about government agencies and programs, we are well-positioned to help Congress and staff get up to speed.
See the For Congress section of our website to learn more about the services GAO offers to Members of Congress.
Key Resources for Congressional and Transition Staff
If you’re new to GAO or just need a refresher, we’ve compiled some of our best resources right here for you. Our signature reports look at large, government- or agency-wide issues. We’ve also included links for browsing our reports and a tool that helps you find and contact a GAO expert.
High Risk List
GAO’s list, updated at the start of each new Congress, of programs and operations that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation.
Priority Recommendations
Implementing priority recommendations can save large amounts of money, help Congress make decisions on major issues, and substantially improve or transform major government programs or agencies, among other benefits.
All Open Recommendations
As of November 6, 2024, there are 5250 open recommendations that still need to be addressed. Search for open recommendations by agency, topic, subject, or keyword/phrase here.
Recommendations for Congress
GAO’s report recommendations have the potential to save taxpayers billions of dollars and greatly improve government operations. Sometimes, GAO recommends matters for Congress to consider.
View Topics
You can browse our information by topic area. These pages provide reports, recommendations, curated information and summaries, videos, podcasts, blog posts, and more.
Find an Expert
GAO’s experts often speak publicly about our work. Look up senior GAO staff by area of expertise here.
WatchBlog Post
Now that the election is over, here are some of the major issues facing the nation and next Congress
Major Issues Facing the Nation
The federal government has a major role in facilitating public health and safety, delivering services, providing for national security and defense, encouraging economic growth, and protecting citizens’ rights. People expect these things from their government, and the government strives to meet these expectations.
But our work has often found that the government may not have what it needs to maintain its operations in a rapidly changing world while addressing serious domestic and global challenges.
We’re keeping an eye on these major issues facing the nation:
