Loss of a Needed Enterprise Risk Manager

With the resignation of David M. Walker, head of the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses a thoughtful and out-spoken government enterprise risk manager. Walker has continually warned about the need for increased federal government fiscal responsibility, given the mandatory spending on Medicare, Social Security, and interest on the U.S. debt.

It will be unfortunate if Walker's successor does not take on the mantle of the government’s enterprise risk manager, providing a realistic assessment of U.S. finances and actively stating the risks of not making hard choices among competing needs in the midst of scarce resources.