Congressman Brendan F. Boyle Commends Hon. Gene Dodaro for his service as head of the GAO

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my fellow Pennsylvanian, the Honorable Gene Dodaro, whose term as U.S. Comptroller General comes to an end this month. For 52 years, Gene Dodaro has served the American people as part of the Government Accountability Office. During his 17-year tenure as head of the agency, he has embodied GAO’s core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability, leading work that has resulted in more than $1 trillion in taxpayer savings and other financial benefits. His dedication to fighting fraud, waste, and abuse has helped shape the federal civil service for more than half a century. Gene joined GAO as an entry-level analyst in 1973 after graduating from Pennsylvania’s Lycoming College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He went on to lead GAO’s Accounting and Information Management Division, which focused on financial management, computer technology, and budget issues. He served in that role until 1999, when he became GAO’s Chief Operating Officer, the agency’s number-two position, helping guide the direction and long-term vision of the workforce. After 35 years of service, when many might have chosen to step away, Gene accepted an appointment as Acting Comptroller General in 2008. He was later confirmed by the Senate in 2010 to serve a 15-year term as Comptroller General. Under his leadership, GAO continued its impactful work on the federal government’s long-term fiscal outlook, efforts to reduce overlap and duplication across agencies, and the High-Risk List, which highlights programs and operations vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, or in need of transformation. As Comptroller General, Gene also spearheaded the creation of GAO’s Innovation Lab, which has strengthened oversight capacity through the use of data science, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. Throughout his career, Gene has been a steadfast defender of Congress’ power of the purse. His work has been especially important to the Budget Committee, including oversight of Impoundment Control Act reviews. He also directed the first-ever audit of the consolidated financial statements of the federal government, an annual effort that has significantly improved transparency and accountability. Gene Dodaro is widely respected on both sides of the aisle as a principled, nonpartisan public servant. He has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the American Society for Public Administration, the Association of Government Accountants, and the National Academy of Public Administration. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the Government Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on accountability, fiscal responsibility, and public trust in government. As Gene’s term as Comptroller General concludes, his legacy at GAO and in public service is secure. The standards he set, the integrity he brought to the job, and the respect he earned across Congress will continue to shape the institution he devoted his career to strengthening. I thank Gene Dodaro for his extraordinary service to our country and wish him continued success in the next chapter of his public service. f