Recommendations for Congress: Action Can Cut Costs, Reduce Waste, and Improve Services

GAO-26-108896, May 12, 2026

Since 2000, GAO has recommended that Congress consider over 1,150 matters to address significant federal challenges. As of April 9, 2026, 277 recommendations remained open. If Congress acts on these open matters, they could achieve tens of billions of dollars in financial benefits and improve federal program effectiveness.

GAO cataloged the open matters, which span a wide range of topics and involve many parts of the federal government. Topic areas include energy, health, IT, and others.

GAO identified 53 open matters that could result in financial benefits. Thirteen of these each have the potential to provide financial benefits of 1 billion dollars or more. The remaining open matters could provide numerous other benefits, such as improving government effectiveness and efficiency.

How to use the interactive graphic

Select a tab below to see open matters by topic area. Click on a topic area in the donut chart to see details about each matter in that category, including report title, matter text, potential financial benefits, and whether Congress has recently proposed legislation that would address the matter.

All Open Matters

Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108896

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For more information, read our report, GAO-26-108896.

Open Matters with Potential Financial Benefits

Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108896

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For more information, read our report, GAO-26-108896.

Open Matters with Potential Financial Benefits of 1 Billion Dollars or More

Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108896

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For more information, read our report, GAO-26-108896.