Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Center for Audit Excellence and its mission in supporting and assisting auditing organizations domestically and internationally.

A part of the Government Accountability Office, the Center for Audit Excellence provides training and assistance to auditing organizations, fostering accountability from local governments in the United States and foreign governments across the globe.

One of the Center's most essential missions is aiding supreme audit institutions of nations that receive U.S. foreign assistance. This helps instill good governance and ensures that U.S. tax dollars are being used efficiently.

Currently, the Center for Audit Excellence is funded almost exclusively by fees. They do not have dedicated funding and must rely on USAID missions or local and foreign governments approaching them for their services. Providing dedicated funding will allow for the Center to have more predictable budget cycles and will expand their reach in helping governments establish sound audit practices.

Not only is there a need for dedicated funding, but there is also a need for more funding at the Center for Audit Excellence. Providing more funding will expand the Center's global footprint and reach more countries' supreme audit institutions. This critical funding would help ensure that governments around the globe and here at home in the United States have the training and assistance to strengthen oversight capacity and reduce government waste.

Helping to build auditing capacity cuts down on government corruption and promotes good governance. Within the U.S., enhanced auditing capacity strengthens local government practices so they better respond to their citizens' needs. Internationally, greater auditing capacity helps low- income and developing nations increase accountability and the responsible use of public funds.

The United States provides billions of dollars of foreign assistance each year, and even more is sent to State and local governments. Providing dedicated funding for the Center for Audit Excellence will help ensure that U.S. tax dollars are spent wisely and as intended.

Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER.

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