becoming involved in speculative areas not subject to
strict cost-benefit analysis and that emphasis on the "timeliness" of its
studies will result in excessive haste and errors. Congressional critics,
including House Appropriations Committee Chairman George Mahon
(D-Tex.) fear that involvement in program evaluation will drag the
GAO into political battles and impair its independence and judgement.
Since 1970, Congress has refused to grant the GAO new authority
(e.g., subpoena power...