[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to Gene Dodaro

  Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I rise to recognize the extraordinary 
public service of U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, who will retire 
this month after a remarkable 52-year career at the Government 
Accountability Office. Comptroller General Dodaro spent more than half 
of his career in leadership roles, including 9 years as Chief Operating 
Officer, before his confirmation in December of 2010 as Comptroller 
General. During his tenure, he has shaped GAO into the high-performing 
organization that we rely on every day here in Congress.
  Comptroller General Dodaro helped build an impressive team of 
scientists, cyber security analysts, and other experts to provide 
reliable and timely information to Congress on rapidly developing 
fields like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
  He has worked with Congress, across multiple administrations, on 
major management reform initiatives, and he directed the first-ever 
audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Federal 
Government.
  I can speak personally about the indispensable role that Comptroller 
General Dodaro and the GAO staff have played in providing support to me 
and to my staff, especially in my work on the Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Committee. It is not just me that can attest to 
Comptroller General Dodaro's leadership. GAO is consistently ranked as 
one of the best places to work in Federal Government, a testament to 
the professionalism, the reliability, and the honesty that he has 
embodied as Comptroller General.
  It is absolutely critical that the next Comptroller General embody 
these same values. They must be professional and fair, willing to call 
balls and strikes, regardless of which party occupies the White House. 
They must uphold the values of independence and nonpartisanship, and 
they must be ready to manage a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce.
  Congress relies on the GAO to help safeguard taxpayer dollars from 
fraud, waste, and abuse across Federal programs, often seeing a return 
on investment of over $100 for every dollar invested in the GAO.
  They provide expert testimony on a range of issues, and the reports 
identify problematic and operational improvements to the Federal 
Government. I look forward to working with Leader Thune, my HSGAC 
counterpart Chairman Paul, and the other members outlined in statute to 
initiate the appointment process and identify a suitable candidate to 
fill the very big shoes of Comptroller General Dodaro.
  He leaves a legacy of tremendous credibility, integrity, and 
independence at the GAO, and I think it is critical that we work 
together in a bipartisan fashion to preserve an indispensable role that 
GAO plays as part of the legislative branch, helping to protect 
taxpayer dollars and hold the executive branch accountable.
  I commend Comptroller General Dodaro for his decades--his decades--of 
outstanding public service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking Comptroller General Dodaro for his dedicated service to us and 
to the American taxpayers.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Mr. PETERS. I ask unanimous consent that the previously scheduled 
vote start immediately.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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