In recent years, an understanding has emerged that the Federal government needs to be run in a more businesslike manner that in the past. The Federal government is accountable to the taxpayer, and taxpayers are demanding as never before that the dollars they invest in their government be managed and spent responsibly. Federal agencies often fail to appropriately manage their finances, identify clearly what they intend to accomplish, or get the job done effectively and with minimum of waste. Major statutes hold promise for creating a more accountable and effective Federal government.

On January 4th, 2011, the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 became law. The acronym refers to the Government Performance and Results Act. When GPRA 1993 was enacted, it was regarded as a watershed for the federal government. For the first time, Congress established requirements in statute for most agencies to set goals, measure performance, and report the information to Congress for potential use. Agencies submitted this information in three major products: multi-year strategic plans, annual plans, and annual reports. This book provides an overview and background on GPRA 1993 and its modernization changes in 2010. The law was especially intended to address the needs of Congress in its policy making, oversight, and budgeting work, and the needs of agency program managers.

Statement of Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller Gen. of the U.S. The federal government is the world's largest and most complex entity, with about $3.5 trillion in outlays in FY 2010 that fund a broad array of programs and operations. GAO's long-term simulations of the federal budget show absent policy change growing deficits accumulating to an unsustainable increase in debt. While the spending side is driven by rising health care costs and demographics, other areas should also be scrutinized. In addition, there are significant performance and management challenges that the federal government needs to confront.This testimony discusses the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Modernization Act of 2010 (GPRAMA), as the administration begins implementing the act. It is based on GAO's past and ongoing work on GPRA implementation, as well as recently issued reports (1) identifying opportunities to reduce potential duplication in government programs, save tax dollars, and enhance revenue; and (2) updating GAO's list of government operations at high risk due to their greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or the need for transformation. Figures. This is a print on demand report.