View Topics | U.S. GAO

Featured Topics

American flag

Congressional and Presidential Transition

GAO provides key materials to help the next Congress and the incoming administration address some of the federal government’s most pressing issues.

High Risk List Tach

High Risk List

GAO’s list, updated at the start of each new Congress, of programs and operations that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation.

A pen checking off check boxes

Priority Recommendations

Implementing priority recommendations can save money, help Congress make decisions, and substantially improve or transform government programs or agencies.

Science 1 Scope

Science & Technology

An overview of scientific and technological developments that affect the nation’s innovation & competitiveness.

$keyboard lock; Source: weerapat1003\stock.adobe.com.$

Cybersecurity

An overview of cyber challenges facing the nation, and actions needed to address them.

line graph over dollar bill

America's Fiscal Future

GAO takes a big-picture look at the nation’s fiscal condition and offers resources to help policymakers get the nation on a more sustainable fiscal path.

100-dollar bills

Duplication & Cost Savings

GAO’s annual report on the federal government’s opportunities to reduce fragmentation, overlap, and duplication, as well as reduce costs and increase revenue.

image of an American community

Tracking the Funds

Following Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending from appropriation, to agency, to recipient, to project completion.

Browse Topics Alphabetically

Agriculture 1 Wheat

Agriculture and Food

Agricultural industry, markets, and food production (e.g., farm animals and crops). Food-related issues such as safety, nutrition, and domestic and international assistance.

Auditing 1 Writing

Auditing and Financial Management

Auditing how-to, including methodologies, tools, techniques, and standards. Financial, forensic, and programmatic audits of federal agencies and the U.S. government.

Budget 1

Budget and Spending

The federal budget, budget projections, and agency budget systems. Government appropriations; federal, state, and local finance.

Business 1 Skyscrapers

Business Regulation and Consumer Protection

Domestic and international business, small business programs, federal regulations. Consumer protection, (e.g., identity theft, insurance, regulation, and credit markets).

Economy 1 Dow

Economic Development

Domestic and international development initiatives, including loans and grants. Construction and disaster relief.

Education 1 Hands

Education

Educational programs ranging from preschool to adult/continuing education, including educational facilities, standards, and funding. Student loans and grants.

Employment 1 Briefcase

Employment

Labor statistics and trends, employment demographics. Workforce development, benefits and compensation, worker safety and protection, and unemployment assistance.

Energy 1 Powerlines

Energy

The energy industry and the government agencies that regulate it. Nuclear waste, oil and gas resources, alternative fuels, emissions, and other energy-related topics.

EEO 1 Hands

Equal Opportunity

Civil rights and equal protection under the law in matters of age, color, disability, etc. Representation and discrimination in the workplace.

Finance 1 Calc

Financial Markets and Institutions

Credit and lending; stocks, bonds, and other securities. Consumer financial protection and financial regulatory agencies.

GAO Mission and Operations

The history and mission of GAO and its programs and services. GAO publications and guidance, including GAO’s policies, protocols, and practices.

Government 1 Flag

Government Operations

Federal government organization, management, and regulation, plus intergovernmental issues. Census and elections, as well as government efficiency and effectiveness.

Health Care 1 Doctor

Health Care

Health care services, facilities, personnel, costs, insurance, and reform. Federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the military and veterans’ health systems.

Homeland Security

National security policy and practice (e.g., transportation security, immigration, emergency response). Preventing terrorism and preparing for weapons of mass destruction.

Housing 1 Boxes

Housing

Housing finance, such as mortgages, insurance, and related regulations. Federally-assisted housing, housing types (e.g., rental, public, or low-income), and homelessness.

Human Capital 1 Sidewalk

Human Capital

Diversity and EEO; employment demographics. Federal and private pay and benefits; performance management; employee development and retention; workforce issues.

Info Manage 1 Servers

Information Management

Data collection, document disposal, records management. Laws regulating access to information, such as the Freedom of Information Act and the DATA Act.

Info Security 1 Screen

Information Security

Cybersecurity, privacy, IT systems, and federal laws and policies on collecting, storing, sharing, and using sensitive, classified, or personally identifiable information.

Info Tech 1 Laptop

Information Technology

Federal information technology (IT) policy, laws, investment, and strategy. Acquisition, enterprise architecture, integration, and security of civilian and military systems.

International 1

International Affairs

Government interests in international politics, law, finance, economics, trade, commerce, and immigration. International treaties, foreign aid, investments, and diplomacy.

Justice 1 Statue

Justice and Law Enforcement

The justice system, including courts, crime, corrections, immigration, lawsuits, trials, judges, and attorneys. Law enforcement agencies and officers.

Defense 1 Pentagon

National Defense

Military readiness, including people and infrastructure; weapons, defense, space systems, and technology. DOD internal operations and budget; the military health system.

Natural Res 1 Mountains

Natural Resources and Environment

Environmental protection, cleanup, and the associated policies, laws, and agencies. Natural resources such as land, water, minerals, wildlife, and energy resources.

Retirement 1 Nest

Retirement Security

Federal, state, local, military, and veterans retirement systems. Private retirement plans, savings rates, and Social Security.

Space 1 Sky

Space

Space-related research and development, space exploration, transportation, and support personnel and facilities. Defense and communications satellites.

Taxes 1 Writing

Tax Policy and Administration

Tax administration, enforcement, laws, policies, and reform. The IRS and other agencies involved in tax issues.

Telecomm 1 Fiber

Telecommunications

Internet and data services and privacy, broadband access, public safety communications, communication security, television and radio, and voice services.

Transportation 1 Highways

Transportation

Modes of travel, transportation laws and policies, transportation safety and security. Transit systems, pipelines, and freight and shipping.

Veterans 1

Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs and its work in employment and training, education, benefits, home loans, insurance, and health care for veterans and retired military.

Work Family 1 Hands

Worker and Family Assistance

Social welfare programs and services focusing on economic assistance, faith-based and community initiatives, child and family issues, nutrition and unemployment assistance.