1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent efforts by Russell Vought and others within the administration to undermine federal watchdogs such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO exists for one fundamental reason: to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Weakening or dismissing the role of independent oversight bodies threatens the very system of checks and balances that protects our democracy. The GAO is not some unnecessary bureaucracy. It is Congress’s independent investigative arm, tasked with examining how public funds are spent and whether federal programs operate lawfully and effectively. Its work has delivered enormous value to taxpayers, saving tens of billions of dollars and improving countless federal programs over the years. When officials suggest that watchdogs “shouldn’t exist” or attempt to diminish their authority, that is not government reform, it is an attack on transparency and accountability. Oversight agencies exist precisely to ensure that no administration, regardless of party, can operate without scrutiny. Undermining them risks concentrating power within the executive branch and removing one of the critical safeguards against corruption, waste, and abuse. Statements dismissing the GAO’s role in overseeing federal spending or questioning its legitimacy are deeply troubling. These watchdogs help Congress carry out its constitutional duty to oversee the executive branch. Weakening them undermines Congress itself and erodes public trust in government. Russell Vought’s posture toward oversight institutions sends a dangerous signal: that accountability is optional and that independent scrutiny is an obstacle rather than a cornerstone of democracy. That mindset should alarm every American, regardless of political affiliation. I urge you to publicly defend the independence of the GAO and other government watchdogs. Congress must reaffirm its commitment to oversight and ensure that attempts to sideline these institutions are rejected. Our democracy depends on transparency, accountability, and strong checks on executive power. The American people deserve a government that welcomes oversight, not one that seeks to dismantle it.