Priority Recommendations
Implementing priority recommendations can save money, help Congress make decisions, and substantially improve or transform government programs or agencies.
Priority recommendations are the GAO recommendations that have not been implemented and warrant attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits.
Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to focus on these priority recommendations and emphasizing the benefits of implementing them. Congress can also use various strategies to ensure our recommendations are addressed—such as holding hearings on agencies’ progress in implementing priority recommendations, withholding funds when appropriate, or incorporating them into legislation. Legislation enacted in December 2022* includes a provision for GAO to identify any additional congressional oversight actions that can help agencies implement priority recommendations. We identify such congressional oversight actions in these letters when available.
* James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 7211(a)(2),136 Stat. 2395, 3668 (2022) (codified at 31 U.S.C. § 719 note).
