Reports & Testimonies
GAO’s reports and testimonies give Congress, federal agencies, and the public timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can improve government operations and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
Most Recent Reports
161 - 180 of 58101 Reports
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Veterans Affairs: Improvements Needed in Estimating Funding for Potential Future Health Emergencies
Veterans Affairs received about $36.7 billion in supplemental funds for its COVID-19 pandemic response. VA used the funds to support services at VA medical facilities and for new efforts like expanding IT infrastructure for telehealth services. At the pandemic's start, the Veterans Health Administration requested funds to continue operations. But VHA didn't have the tools to develop a base estimate of potential costs for an...
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Surface Transportation Threats: Better Communication with Stakeholders Needed about the Security Clearance Process
The U.S. surface transportation system—which includes public transportation, railroads, and pipelines—has been a target for cyberattacks and other threats. To protect it, the Department of Homeland Security shares information about threats with companies and other entities that own or run parts of the system. In some circumstances, entities need security clearances to see classified information. DHS officials and stakeholders we interviewed had different understandings about...
Artificial Intelligence: Fully Implementing Key Practices Could Help DHS Ensure Responsible Use for Cybersecurity
While responsible use of artificial intelligence can improve security, irresponsible use may pose risks. We looked at what the Department of Homeland Security is doing to ensure responsible use of its AI for cybersecurity. DHS created a public inventory of "AI use cases"—how it uses AI. But DHS doesn't verify whether each case is correctly characterized as AI. Of the 2 cybersecurity cases in the...
Homelessness: Barriers to Obtaining ID and Assistance Provided to Help Gain Access
People experiencing homelessness may need ID to secure jobs, stable housing, and federal benefits. But, they may not have the money, supporting documents, or residential address they need to get an ID. State efforts to address these barriers include offering reduced-fee IDs. Federal efforts include funding local homelessness assistance providers who can help people get documents or pay for ID applications. Further, public housing agencies...
Department of Homeland Security: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Joint Task Forces
From 2015 to 2020, the Department of Homeland Security ran 3 intradepartmental task forces. Joint task forces allow DHS to coordinate its agencies to combat complex threats like drug smuggling and terrorism. DHS ended two of them in 2020; one remains active. In 2022, Congress began requiring DHS to report why it has started or ended a task force. But as of November 2023, DHS...
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Disaster Assistance: Information on the 2021 Condominium Collapse in Surfside, Florida
The partial collapse of a 12-story beachfront condo in Florida was one of the deadliest structural disasters in American history—killing 98 people and injuring many more. This Q&A report looks at the federal response. FEMA coordinated response and recovery efforts, including assistance for survivors and victims' families. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is investigating the technical cause of the collapse and plans to...
Defense Health Care: DOD Should Monitor Urgent Referrals to Civilian Behavioral Health Providers to Ensure Timely Care
DOD aims to provide behavioral health care to active-duty service members at its military treatment facilities, but it has also needed to make referrals to civilian providers to meet demand. DOD generally monitors the timeliness of appointments, and is working to fill provider vacancies at its facilities. But it hasn't monitored how long it takes to get appointments with civilian providers after an urgent referral...
Private Debt Collection Program: IRS Could Improve Results and Better Promote Equitable Outcomes for Taxpayers
Under the Private Debt Collection Program, the IRS contracts with private collection agencies to collect certain taxes that haven't been paid. Most of the individual and business taxpayers that IRS assigns to this program owe $5k or less. The IRS should evaluate potential equity disparities in this program, such as unintended and unwarranted differences in collection referrals by race, sex, or location. However, the IRS...
Federal Hiring: USA Staffing System Supports Hiring Needs, but Actions Are Needed to Strengthen Training and Program Management
Many federal agencies use the Office of Personnel Management's USA Staffing system to assess job candidates and onboard new hires. OPM provides initial training and ongoing technical and cybersecurity support. Human capital professionals at several agencies told us they were satisfied with the system. Agencies give their staff agency-specific training and guidance. Some IRS and National Park Service system users expressed concern about the timing...
Bureau of Prisons: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Restrictive Housing Practices
As of October 2023, the Bureau of Prisons was housing about 8% of its prison population in restrictive housing, also known as "solitary confinement." In some cases, this includes isolating people in cells for up to 23 hours per day. Two prior studies have given the Bureau recommendations on how to improve its restrictive housing practices. However, it hasn't implemented a number of these recommendations—such...
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Drug Safety: FDA Has Faced Persistent Challenges Overseeing Foreign Drug Manufacturing
This testimony discusses our long-standing concerns about the Food and Drug Administration's oversight of the global pharmaceutical supply chain—an issue on our High Risk List since 2009. More than 50% of drug manufacturers supplying the U.S. market are overseas. FDA inspections of manufacturers are critical for drug safety and effectiveness. But pandemic disruptions and staff shortages led to a backlog of foreign manufacturers needing inspection...
Coast Guard: Better Feedback Collection and Information Could Enhance Housing Program
Many Coast Guard stations are near vacation destinations or in remote areas—which can make it hard for Coast Guard service members to find affordable housing. Service members told us they've had issues finding annual rentals in some vacation areas dominated by seasonal rentals. And in remote areas, like parts of Alaska, adequate housing can mean a long commute. The Coast Guard hasn't conducted a service-wide...
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Government Auditing Standards 2024 Revision
Auditors around the world use our Yellow Book— Government Auditing Standards—to perform effective government audits. We maintain the Yellow Book and stay on top of domestic and international auditing standards. This update enhances how audit organizations manage audit quality. Effective quality management can reasonably assure an audit organization that its people, audits, and reports adhere to professional standards and applicable laws. Another updated area adds...
Cybersecurity: National Cyber Director Needs to Take Additional Actions to Implement an Effective Strategy
Cyberattacks threaten federal information systems and the nation's critical infrastructure. The Office of the National Cyber Director leads national cyber policy and strategy. The Office has a plan to implement the White House's National Cybersecurity Strategy. As of January 2024, the strategy and plan provide a good foundation, but the Office still needs to include more details in the plan to ensure that the strategy...
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Precision Agriculture: Benefits and Challenges for Technology Adoption and Use
Precision agriculture uses technologies such as GPS or automation to make farms more efficient. For example, farmers can use auto-steering equipment to precisely plant a field, and activity monitors can help dairy farmers collect data about their cows' health. In this Technology Assessment, we review the benefits and challenges of precision agriculture technologies. They can make farms more profitable and have environmental benefits—like reducing fertilizer...
Nuclear Waste: Changing Conditions May Affect Future Management of Contamination Deposited Abroad During U.S. Cold War Activities
U.S. Cold War activities caused radioactive contamination in three other countries. The contamination in Greenland—from a closed nuclear reactor—and in Spain—from an aircraft accident—is being monitored. But changing climate and economic conditions have raised concerns about future effects on local areas. In the Marshall Islands—where the U.S. tested nuclear weapons—local officials are worried that rising sea levels may impact contaminated sites. The Department of Energy...
Veterans Health Care: VHA Has Taken Steps towards Improving Vet Centers
This testimony discusses our prior work on the Veterans Health Administration's Vet Centers. Some combat veterans experience trauma that can lead to mental illness, substance abuse, or other challenges. Vet Centers provide eligible veterans, servicemembers, and their families with counseling services. We previously recommended that VHA develop a plan to assess whether Vet Centers' services are meeting the needs of veterans, including those that may...
International Trade: USTR Should Improve Coordination on New Automotive Rules of Origin
In 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement changed rules for the largest trade category among the partners—automobiles. The agreement, which sets import rules on where materials and labor for autos and parts come from, is expected to raise U.S. automotive prices but also support job growth. The U.S. Trade Representative chairs an interagency committee responsible for providing advice and input on implementing, enforcing, and modifying the...
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Coast Guard: Enforcement of Egress Requirements for Historic Wood Sailing Vessels
In 2019, a small boat off the California coast caught fire at 3:00am, killing 34 people—partly because both exits from below-deck bunks led into the fire. In 2021, the Coast Guard required certain small boats carrying passengers overnight to comply with stricter egress requirements by December 2023. Our Q&A report looks at the evolution and enforcement of these requirements for wood sailing boats. Initially, operators...
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Agencies Need to Enhance Oversight of Ransomware Practices and Assess Federal Support
Ransomware—software that makes data and systems unusable unless ransom is paid—can severely impact government operations and critical infrastructure. Such attacks have led to significant financial losses, health care disruptions, and more. Most federal agencies that lead and manage risk for 4 critical sectors—manufacturing, energy, healthcare and public health, and transportation systems—have assessed or plan to assess risks associated with ransomware. But agencies haven't fully gauged...