The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today issued the following Decision of the Comptroller General:
Appropriations Decisions:
B-317022, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General--Implementation of Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act Section 603, Part 1,
September 25, 2008
http://www.gao.gov/decisions/appro/317022.htm
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is exempt from "Federal law[s] dealing with public or Federal contracts, property, works, officers, employees, budgets, or funds," unless otherwise provided. 39 U.S.C. sect. 410. As a component of USPS, the Office of Inspector General
(OIG) is covered by the same exemption.
Since the statutory language authorizing direct appropriations to OIG is ambiguous, OIG should work with Congress to obtain a provision in the continuing resolution to ensure continued funding of OIG operations.
USPS may not supplement OIG's appropriations with additional funds, because doing so would constitute an augmentation. Agencies may not augment their appropriations because it would interfere with the congressional prerogative to control agency activity.
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