GAO to study foreign IT outsourcing

The General Accounting Office will study the effects of offshore outsourcing of information technology jobs.

Rep. Adam Smith (D.-Wash.) made the request as part of a larger effort to examine the U.S. job market. "I'm extremely pleased that the GAO agrees that this is a critically important issue that should be thoroughly examined," Smith said in a statement.

The outsourcing of tech jobs to workers overseas raises several issues that Smith wants examined, including: the impact of federal "Buy American" policies on companies that use overseas labor, competitiveness of American companies and the treatment of outsourcing in American trade policy.

Smith wants the GAO to research trends and identify the major risks and benefits. He expects the study's results by spring.