This talk begins with a brief comment on some of the responsibilities of the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) to clarify why it is interested in Planning Programming Budgeting (PPB). The discussion of PPB as a tool for legislative planning is started by reviewing the recent congressional hearings on the subject including a summary of the Comptroller General's statements. This is followed by an account of the historical antecedents of PPB and related developments. The role of GAO is described as being broader than the specific interests of most congressional committees. The growing interest of Congress in analysis and information systems is indicated by several recent proposals introduced in both houses which are directed to this matter. Economic Opportunity Programs are investigated and a survey of PPB in the Executive Branch is presented. It is concluded that the interest expressed by the Congress in improved program review and analysis has been representative of both older and newer members and also has been representative of both parties. The talk is closed with a few remarks about the information systems aspect of this whole subject. (NH)