Us Code § 720 - Agency reports

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 720 — Agency reports, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 720. Agency reports

(a) In this section, "agency" means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government (except a mixed-ownership Government corporation) or the District of Columbia government.

(b) When the Comptroller General makes a report that includes a recommendation to the head of an agency, the head of the agency shall submit a written statement on action taken or planned on the recommendation by the head of the agency. The statement shall be submitted to—

(1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the agency program or activity that is the subject of the recommendation, and the Government Accountability Office before the 181st day after the date of the report; and

(2) the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress in the first request for appropriations submitted more than 180 days after the date of the report.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 896; Pub. L. 115–3, §2(b), Jan. 31, 2017, 131 Stat. 7; Pub. L. 115–414, §3, Jan. 3, 2019, 132 Stat. 5431.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
720(a) 31:1157. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–510, §§207, 236, 84 Stat. 1168, 1171.
720(b) 31:1176.

In subsection (a), the words "As used . . . the term", "Federal", and "establishment" are omitted as surplus. The words in parentheses are included for consistency with section 101 of the revised title.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "Comptroller General" are substituted for "General Accounting Office", and the words "head of the" are added, for consistency. The word "written" is omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the words "Governmental Affairs of the Senate" are substituted for "Government Operations of the . . . Senate" because of Rule 25.1(k) of the Standing Rules of the Senate (S. Doc. 96–1, 96th Cong., 1st Sess.). In clause (2), the words "both Houses of Congress" are substituted for "the House of Representatives and the Senate" for consistency. The words "connection with", "for that agency", and "to the Congress" are omitted as surplus.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–414, §3(1), substituted "181st" for "61st".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–414, §3(2), substituted "180" for "60".

2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–3, §2(b)(1), inserted "or planned" after "action taken" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–3, §2(b)(2), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives before the 61st day after the date of the report; and".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.

About This Section

31 U.S.C. § 720 is part of Title 31 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 31 U.S.C. § 720. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 720

What does United States Code § 720 cover?

Section 720 ("Agency reports") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 720?

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

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Sources & Verification

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