S. 17Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 10:53 AM UTC

The GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017 strengthens the Government Accountability Office’s ability to obtain information from federal agencies. It makes clear that the Social Security Act does not restrict the GAO’s right to access records, tightens reporting timelines for agencies, and broadens the GAO’s authority to request records and pursue civil actions if needed. The changes affect the GAO, all federal agencies, and specifically reference the Social Security Act.

Key Provisions

Adds a new Section 721 stating that no part of the Social Security Act, including section 453(l), limits the Comptroller General’s (GAO’s) authority to obtain any information or inspect any record.
Clarifies that the limitation in Section 721 applies only to the Social Security Act and does not affect GAO’s access to information under other statutes.
Amends reporting requirements so that agency reports must be provided to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the House Oversight Committee, the relevant congressional committees, and the GAO within 61 days of the report’s date, and adds the word “planned” after “action taken.”
Expands GAO’s power under Section 716 to obtain agency records needed for its audit, evaluation, and investigative duties, including the ability to bring civil actions to enforce this authority.
Updates the table of sections in Title 31 to include the new Section 721.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

January 3, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 3, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

January 3, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 3, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 17

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 3, 2017

Mr. Sasse (for himself and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL

To ensure the Government Accountability Office has adequate access to information.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017.

Access to certain information

(a)

Access to certain information

Subchapter II of chapter 7 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

721.

Access to certain information

(a)

No provision of the Social Security Act, including section 453(l) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 653(l)), shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the Comptroller General to obtain any information or to inspect any record under section 716 of this title.

(b)

The specific reference to a statute in subsection (a) shall not be construed to affect access by the Government Accountability Office to information under statutes that are not referenced in subsection (a).

(b)

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 striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 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

(c)

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 the duties of the Comptroller General (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.

(d)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 7 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 720 the following:

721. Access to certain information.