Press Releases
Raskin, Morelle, Connolly Call on DOJ to Fulfill Duty to Defend Legislative Branch AuthorityStephen Miller-founded America First Legal Targets GAO Under Statute Applicable Only to Executive Branch Agencies
Washington,
April 17, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Joe Morelle (NY-25), and Gerry Connolly (VA-11), the top Democrats on the Committees on House Administration, Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, respectively, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting confirmation that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will zealously represent the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—a Legislative Branch agency—in a lawsuit filed by America First Legal Foundation which preposterously alleges that GAO is part of the Executive Branch. “Under well-settled law, GAO is “an independent agency within the Legislative Branch…[and] the Comptroller General, who leads the GAO, is ‘an Officer of the Legislative Branch.’” The Trump Administration acknowledged GAO’s status as a Legislative Branch agency in a 2019 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum,” wrote the lawmakers. The courts have repeatedly affirmed DOJ’s authority and responsibility to represent GAO in court. “It is our expectation that DOJ will fulfil its statutory responsibilities and zealously defend GAO against this seemingly meritless action,” wrote the lawmakers. The lawmakers called on DOJ to commit to full, vigorous representation of GAO for the duration of the case no later than April 23, 2025. Full text of the letter is available here. ###
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