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Lapse in Appropriations

Please note that a lapse in appropriations has caused GAO to shut down its operations. Therefore, GAO will not be able to publish reports or otherwise update this website until GAO resumes operations. In addition, the vast majority of GAO personnel are not permitted to work. Consequently, calls or emails to agency personnel may not be returned until GAO resumes operations. For details on how the bid protest process will be handled during the shutdown, please see the legal decisions page. For information related to the GAO Personnel Appeals Board (PAB), please see the PAB webpage.

Federal Vacancies Reform Act

The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (Vacancies Act) establishes requirements for temporarily filling vacant positions in Executive Branch agencies that require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. This act identifies who may temporarily serve, for how long, and what happens when no one is serving under the act and the position is vacant. GAO issues letters to the President and Congress reporting violations of the act’s time limitations and issues decisions on agency compliance with the act when requested by Congress.

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Violation Letters and Decisions

Below is a listing of letters reporting violations of the act’s time limitations and decisions on agency compliance GAO has issued.

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