OMB director says Government Accountability Office "shouldn't exist"

""We're not big fans of GAO," Vought said at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C. "They are a quasi-legislative independent entity and something that shouldn't exist." Republican lawmakers and the White House have targeted the GAO after it opened investigations into the spending of congressionally approved funds, the New York Times reported. The GAO and White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment."

""GAO provides Congress, the heads of executive agencies, and the public with timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can be used to improve government and save taxpayers billions of dollars," the watchdog's website said. "Our work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is statutorily required by public laws or committee reports, per our Congressional Protocols." The president does have the power to remove the U.S. comptroller general - who leads the GAO - from his position."

The GAO was described as a quasi-legislative independent entity that should not exist, prompting criticism and scrutiny. Republican lawmakers and the White House targeted the GAO after it opened investigations into spending of congressionally approved funds. The GAO provides Congress, executive agency heads, and the public with timely, fact-based, non-partisan information intended to improve government and save taxpayers billions. GAO work is conducted at congressional request or when statutorily required. The president can remove the U.S. comptroller general, who is appointed by the president with Senate advice and consent and serves a single 15-year term.

Read at Axios