I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2646 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 2, 2009 Mr. Towns introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To amend title 31, United States Code, to enhance the oversight authorities of the Comptroller General, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2009.

2.

Authority to obtain information

(a)

Authority To obtain records

Section 716 of title 31, United States Code, is amended in subsection (a)— (1)by striking (a) and inserting (2); and (2)by inserting after the section heading the following: (a)(1)The Comptroller General is authorized to obtain such agency records as the Comptroller General requires to discharge his duties (including audit, evaluation, and investigative duties), including through the bringing of civil actions under this section. In reviewing a civil action under this section, the court shall recognize the continuing force and effect of the authorization in the preceding sentence until such time as the authorization is repealed pursuant to law. . (b)

Copies and interviews

Section 716(a) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), is further amended in the second sentence of paragraph (2) by striking inspect an agency record and inserting inspect, and make and retain copies of, an agency record and interview agency officers and employees. (c)

Rules of construction

Section 716 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f)No provision of any law in existence on the date of the enactment of this section or enacted after such date shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the Comptroller General to obtain any information, to inspect any record, or to interview any officer or employee under this section, except to the extent such provision expressly and specifically refers to this section and provides for such limitation, amendment, or supersession. .

3.

Administering oaths

Paragraph (4) of section 711 of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (4)administer oaths to witnesses, except that, in matters other than auditing and settling accounts, the authority of an officer or employee to administer oaths to witnesses pursuant to a delegation under paragraph (2) shall not be available without the prior express approval of the Comptroller General (or a designee). .

4.

Agency reports

Section 720(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or planned after action taken; and (2)by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1)the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Operations of the House of Representatives, the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the agency program or activity that is the subject of the recommendation, and the Government Accountability Office before the 61st day after the date of the report; and .