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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Senate Amendment 2137 to H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as Proposed on August 1, 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as proposed on August 1, 2021. From the Document: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that over the 2021-2031 period, enacting Senate Amendment 2137 to H.R. 3684 would decrease direct spending by $110 billion, increase revenues by $50 billion, and increase discretionary spending by $415 billion. On net, the legislation would add $256 billion to projected deficits over that period. The legislation would provide $382.9 billion in contract authority (a form of mandatory budget authority) for a variety of transportation programs over the 2022-2026 period. Under the rules governing baseline projections that are specified in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, this estimate incorporates an assumption that the contract authority of about $79.9 billion that would be provided in 2026 (the final year of the authorization) would also be provided in each subsequent year. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] therefore estimates that an additional $399.6 billion in contract authority would be available over the 2027-2031 period, for a total of $782.5 billion over the 10-year period. Over the 2022-2031 period, that total would be $196.5 billion more that the amount in CBO's July 2021 baseline."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-08-05
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Human Trafficking: DOD Should Address Weaknesses in Oversight of Contractors and Reporting of Investigations Related to Contracts, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "GAO [government Accountability Office] and DODIG [Department of Defense Office of Inspector General] reports on overseas U.S. military operations have highlighted TIP [trafficking in persons] among foreign workers employed on contracts. Congress included a provision in the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 for GAO to review DOD's efforts to combat TIP related to contracts. This report examines, among other things: the extent to which selected DOD components have implemented oversight and training requirements for CTIP [combating trafficking in persons] in contracts and the extent to which selected DOD components have tracked and reported investigations of TIP incidents in contracts from fiscal years 2015 through 2020. GAO analyzed federal laws, and DOD guidance, regulations, contracts, and data related to CTIP. GAO also interviewed DOD officials, including Army and Navy officials responsible for overseeing contracts in U.S. Southern Command. GAO is making six recommendations to improve DOD oversight of contractors' CTIP efforts and reporting of TIP in contracts: two to strengthen guidance on oversight, one to reinstate requirements on reporting the percentage of people trained, and three to clarify guidance for reporting on TIP investigations. DOD concurred with all of the recommendations."
United States. General Accounting Office
2021-08-04
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3856, A Bill to Require the Comptroller General of the United States to Conduct a Study on Disparities Associated with Race and Ethnicity with Respect to Certain Benefits Administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for Other Purposes
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 28, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 3856 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess whether there are racial or ethnic disparities with respect to compensation paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who have disabilities resulting from medical conditions or injuries incurred or aggravated while on active military duty. The bill also would require GAO to develop recommendations to improve data collection on such disparities, brief the Congress on the results of the study, and submit a final report. On the basis of information about similar studies, CBO estimates completing the study would cost $1 million over the 2021-2026 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-08-04
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S&T Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Strategic Plan
From the Executive Summary: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) presents goals that will enable S&T to conduct Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) research, development, test, and evaluation activities to support DHS mission needs, and to advise stakeholders on developments in AI/ML and the associated opportunities and risks. The S&T AI/ML Strategic Plan defines S&T's approach to effectively address the opportunities and challenges that AI/ML poses to the Department, the broader Homeland Security Enterprise, and the missions they serve. The S&T AI/ML Strategic Plan presents three goals: 'GOAL 1: Drive Next-Generation AI/ML Technologies for Cross-Cutting Homeland Security Capabilities'; [...] 'GOAL 2: Facilitate Use of Proven AI/ML Capabilities in Homeland Security Missions'; [... and] 'GOAL 3: Build an Interdisciplinary AI/ML-Trained Workforce'[.]"
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate
2021-08
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Origins of COVID-19: An Investigation of the Wuhan Institute of Virology
From the Executive Summary: "More than one year after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, the world is still reeling from the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. More than four million people have lost their lives worldwide, including more than 612,000 Americans, while economies around the world have been devastated by the fallout. This report investigates the origin of this virus and looks at how it became a deadly pandemic."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign Affairs
McCaul, Michael T.
2021-08
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Federal Cybersecurity: America's Data 'Still' at Risk, Staff Report, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, August 2021
From the Executive Summary: "In June 2019, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (Subcommittee) issued a bipartisan report titled: 'Federal Cybersecurity: America's Data at Risk' (the 2019 Report). That report highlighted systemic failures of eight key Federal agencies to comply with Federal cybersecurity standards identified by agencies' inspectors general. [...] This report revisits those same eight agencies two years later. What this report finds is stark. Inspectors general identified many of the same issues that have plagued Federal agencies for more than a decade. Seven agencies made minimal improvements, and only DHS managed to employ and effective cybersecurity regime for 2020. As such, this report find that these seven Federal agencies still have not met the basic cybersecurity standards necessary to protect America's sensitive data."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
2021-08
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National Incident Management System Emergency Operations Center How-To Quick Reference Guide
From the Introduction: "The routine, day-to-day management of government differs greatly from emergency operations. During an emergency, effective decision-making relies on leaders' ability to collect emergency-related information, which requires close coordination between key officials from a variety of agencies and departments. Having a central facility such as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), from which leaders can coordinate and direct emergency efforts, is essential for emergency response and recovery. Governments, jurisdictions, municipalities, nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and members of the private sector, at all levels, should prepare for the possibility of an emergency that will significantly change operating procedures. Governments must be ready to direct and control emergency operations. [...] The purpose of this all-hazards how-to guide is to provide state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) jurisdictions with information and guidance related to setting up, operating, maintaining and deactivating an EOC that successfully meets the jurisdiction's needs. This guidance applies an all-hazards approach in its concepts, processes and principles. FEMA recognizes that certain hazards (such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]) may have specific implications, precautions and instructions that take effect under certain conditions and threat environments."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-08
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Biodefense: After-Action Findings and COVID-19 Response Revealed Opportunities to Strengthen Preparedness, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic shows how catastrophic biological incidents can cause substantial loss of life, economic damage, and require a whole-of-nation response involving multiple federal and nonfederal entities. The 2018 National Biodefense Strategy outlines specific goals and objectives to help prepare for and respond to such incidents. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to conduct monitoring and oversight of federal efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from COVID-19. This report addresses: (1) interagency plans key federal agencies developed, and exercises they conducted, to help prepare for biological incidents; and (2) the extent to which exercises and real-world incidents revealed opportunities to better achieve National Biodefense Strategy objectives. GAO reviewed biological incident plans and after-action reports from exercises and real-world incidents from calendar years 2009 through 2019, including a non-generalizable sample of 19 reports selected based on threat scenario and other factors. GAO interviewed federal and state officials to obtain their perspectives on plans, exercises, and the COVID-19 response."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-08
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Cyber Strategic Outlook: The United States Coast Guard's Vision to Protect and Operate in Cyberspace
From the Introduction: "Cyber attacks against the United States (U.S.) are one of the most significant threats to our economic and military power since World War II. The events of the last five years, including the exploitation of U.S. Coast Guard networks and information, attacks on maritime critical infrastructure, and adversarial efforts to undermine our democratic processes, reinforce that cyberspace is a contested domain. This Outlook updates the 2015 Cyber Strategy to ensure U.S. Coast Guard readiness to conduct all missions in a contested cyberspace, to secure the maritime transportation sector through a rules-based international order, and to identify and combat adversary activity in and through cyberspace. Working in close collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DOD), our government partners, foreign allies, and the maritime industry, we will protect the Marine Transportation System (MTS) from threats delivered in and through cyberspace and hold accountable those who would do our nation harm. The threats we face from the cyber domain have outpaced threats from the physical domain. As a military service, federal law enforcement agency, and federal regulator, the U.S. Coast Guard will use its broad authorities and unique capabilities to protect the MTS from all threats, to respond to attacks on maritime critical infrastructure, and to incorporate cyber effects to achieve all mission outcomes."
United States. Coast Guard
2021-08
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FEMA Fact Sheet: Emergency Operations Center (EOC) References and Resources Tool
From the Purpose and EOC [Emergency Operations Center] Overview: "The EOC References and Resources tool provides EOC leaders and staff with a set of best practices, checklists, references, links, and essential guidance related to EOC operations and administration. An EOC is a physical or virtual location from which leaders of a jurisdiction or organization coordinate information and resources to support incident management activities (on-scene operations). This reference guide provides essential tips, considerations, and resources in establishing and operating physical and virtual EOCs. An EOC: [1] Is a coordination structure to collect, analyze, and share information; [2] Supports resource needs and requests, including allocation and tracking; [3] Coordinates plans and determines current and future needs; [and 4] Provides coordination and policy direction[.]"
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-08
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Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, 52nd Quarterly Report to the United States Congress
From the Executive Summary: "This report summarizes SIGAR's [Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction] oversight work and updates developments in four major areas of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan from April 1 to June 30, 2021. During this reporting period, SIGAR issued 12 audits, evaluations, and other products assessing U.S. efforts to build the Afghan security forces, improve governance, facilitate economic and social development, and combat the production and sale of narcotics. In this period, SIGAR criminal investigations resulted in two criminal informations, two guilty pleas, one sentencing, $179,708 in restitutions, and $11.9 million in civil settlements."
United States. Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
2021-07-30
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3948, Greater Supervision in Banking Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on June 23, 2021. From the Bill Summary: "H.R. 3948 would amend the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to require Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs) to submit an annual report to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve containing a description of the activities and goals of the company. It would also require the Board of Governors to post those reports on its website. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3948 would decrease revenues by $3 million over the 2021- 2031 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-30
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Private Security Contractors: DOD Needs to Better Identify and Monitor Personnel and Contracts, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "During Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001-2014 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2011, DOD significantly increased its use of PSCs [private security contractors]. In 2008, the Swiss Government and the Red Cross issued the Montreux Document, which generally reaffirmed the obligation nations have to ensure that their PSCs respect international humanitarian law. PSCs supporting DOD have faced international attention resulting from incidents allegedly involving their personnel. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 included a provision for GAO [government Accountability Office] to review DOD's use of PSCs. GAO assessed the extent to which DOD has (1) identified PSC contracts and personnel used to support contingency operations and (2) established a framework to oversee the department's use of PSC contracts. GAO analyzed DOD contract and personnel data for PSCs from 2009 through 2019, reviewed DOD guidance on PSC use, and conducted interviews with DOD officials and representatives from standards organizations. GAO is making three recommendations to improve PSC oversight, including identifying and communicating the activities that fall under DOD's definition of PSC functions, and assigning a senior-level position responsible for monitoring the implementation of DOD's PSC oversight framework. DOD partially concurred with the recommendations, agreeing in substance and planning several actions as a result. DOD's planned actions should address the intent of GAO's recommendations if implemented."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-29
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COVID-19 Pandemic: Actions Needed to Improve Federal Oversight of Assistance to Individuals, Communities, and the Transportation Industry, Statement of Heather Krause, Director, Physical Infrastructure and Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "In response to the public health and economic crises created by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, Congress provided billions of dollars across a range of agencies to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. This included billions to: [1] FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund to provide assistance to individuals as well as state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and [2] DOT [Department of Transportation] and Treasury to provide financial assistance to the transportation sector. This statement describes: (1) the federal response and selected relief programs administered by FEMA, DOT, and Treasury and (2) lessons learned based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office's] reviews of selected COVID-19 relief programs, including related recommendations and their implementation status. This statement is based on GAO's body of work on the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act issued from June 2020 through July 2021. To update this information, GAO reviewed agency documentation; and interviewed agency officials, industry associations, and selected businesses that applied to these programs on the latest implementation efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Krause, Heather; Currie, Chris
2021-07-29
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Military Installations: DOD Should Consider Various Support Services When Designating Sites as Remote or Isolated, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD operates hundreds of installations in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, which support the daily operations of military units. The support services provided to servicemembers and their dependents at these installations include morale, welfare, and recreation services; medical care; housing; and education. Senate Report 116-48, accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review support services at remote or isolated installations. This report assesses the extent to which DOD (1) designated installations in the United States since 2011 as remote or isolated for the provision of support services, and (2) established objectives for support services at installations and assessed whether current support services are meeting the needs of servicemembers and their dependents. GAO reviewed relevant policies and guidance, conducted interviews with four selected installations and conducted a non-generalizable web-based survey of 756 active-duty servicemembers. GAO is making two recommendations to DOD to develop policy for designating installations in the United States as remote or isolated that includes a process for considering support services in addition to MWR [morale, welfare, and recreation], and to assess the risks of not providing support services and subsequently develop strategies to meet identified needs. As discussed in the report, DOD concurred with the recommendations and described some related actions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-29
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 30, July 29, 2021
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "Fire and EMS [emergency medical services] health and wellness resources from the National Volunteer Fire Council"; "Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association discusses response to Champlain Tower collapse"; "FBI releases annual report, Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2020"; "Webinar: Crisis stabilization & scene management: A roadmap to de-escalation, field dynamics and decision making using the R.O.A.R [Respond-Observe-Assess-React] model"; "CISA [U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] Alert (AA21-209A): Top Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities"; "MDBR [Malicious Domain Blocking and Reporting] stops ransomware, phishing, malware, and more"; "DHS announces new cybersecurity requirements for critical pipeline owners and operators"; "Google is using machine learning to stop DDoS [distributed denial-of-service] attacks"; and "Kaseya obtains universal decryptor key for recent REvil ransomware attacks."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-07-29
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Fact Sheet: The Collaborative Migration Management Strategy
From the Webpage: "Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is releasing the Migration Strategy. It is the first U.S. government strategy focused on strengthening cooperative efforts to manage safe, orderly, and humane migration in North and Central America. In line with our Nation's highest values, the Migration Strategy contributes to a humane and secure approach by improving regional cooperation to manage migration, expanding protection, and enhancing access to lawful pathways for migration. It is driven by the U.S. government's belief that all individuals should be able to find safety and achieve a stable and dignified life within their own countries. When that is not the case, asylum and other legal migration pathways should be available to those who need them. The United States has strong national security, economic, and humanitarian interests in promoting safe, orderly, and humane migration. By enhancing humanitarian support, regional protections, and investing in migration management, the United States will help build a more stable region, strengthen legal pathways for those who must migrate, and reduce irregular migration." The full Collaborative Migration Management Strategy can be found here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=856842].
United States. White House Office
2021-07-29
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Congressional Budget Office Estimate: CBO's Estimate for Senate Amendment 2123, an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 3237, the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office Estimate for Senate Amendment 2123 related to emergency-designated discretionary spending. From the Document: "Senate Amendment 2123 would provide supplemental appropriations for federal agencies and the legislative branch to respond to events at the United States Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. The legislation also would provide supplemental appropriations to legislative branch agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to impacts of coronavirus. Those amounts would be designated as emergency spending, in keeping with section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. The limits on discretionary budget authority established by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25), as amended, would be adjusted to accommodate such spending."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-29
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Bureau of Prisons: BOP Could Further Enhance Its COVID-19 Response by Capturing and Incorporating Lessons Learned, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "BOP [Federal Bureau of Prisons] was responsible for the custody and care of about 129,000 federal inmates in BOP-managed facilities, and employed more than 37,000 staff as of May 2021. Because of confined spaces, the prison population is particularly vulnerable during infectious disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. About $620 million has been appropriated to or designated by BOP for COVID-19- related efforts. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review BOP's approach to responding to COVID-19. This report addresses, among other objectives: (1) BOP's development and updates of COVID-19 guidance; (2) BOP's provision of PPE [personal protective equipment], COVID-19 tests and vaccines, and infection and fatality rates for inmates and staff; and (3) the impact of COVID-19 on inmates and staff, and the extent to which BOP has incorporated lessons learned into its response. GAO reviewed BOP policies, data, and other documentation related to the impact of COVID-19 and how BOP addressed it. GAO also conducted non-generalizable interviews of officials from five BOP facilities and one private facility operating under contract with BOP, selected based on inmate infection rates and other factors. GAO is making three recommendations that BOP evaluate communication of COVID-19 guidance, develop an approach to capture and share best practices and lessons learned; and develop an approach to ensure facilities apply these practices as appropriate. BOP concurred with all three recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-29
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COVID-19 Contracting: Opportunities to Improve Practices to Assess Prospective Vendors and Capture Lessons Learned, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "In response to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], agencies awarded contracts for goods and services to vendors from a range of industries and with varying levels of federal contracting experience, but some vendors have been unable to deliver under those contracts. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act] Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review COVID-19-related federal contracting under the act. This report addresses (1) COVID-19 contract obligations and characteristics of vendors, (2) contracting challenges, including with agency assessments of vendors, and (3) whether lessons learned efforts reflect those challenges. GAO analyzed federal procurement data on agencies' reported COVID-19 contract obligations through May 31, 2021. GAO examined a nongeneralizable sample of 28 contracts with high dollar values or other characteristics from four agencies--DOD, HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], USDA, and DHS. GAO interviewed officials, including Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials about their emergency acquisition guidance. GAO is making 10 recommendations, including that agencies establish processes to better collect and communicate contracting lessons learned during emergencies such as COVID-19. Agencies agreed with nine recommendations. OMB did not agree to establish time frames for updating its guidance. GAO continues to believe OMB should do so, as discussed in this report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-29
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Paycheck Protection Program: SBA Added Program Safeguards, but Additional Actions Are Needed, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Since March 2020, Congress has provided commitment authority of about $814 billion for PPP [Paycheck Protection Program], which provides small businesses with low-interest loans that SBA [Small Business Administration] fully guarantees. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to monitor funds provided for the COVID-19 [coronavirus 2019] pandemic. This report examines (1) safeguards that SBA put in place during the PPP loan approval process, (2) the PPP loan forgiveness process, including processes for unforgiven loans, and (3) SBA's oversight of PPP loans and lenders. GAO reviewed SBA documentation; surveyed a generalizable sample of PPP lenders; analyzed data on loan forgiveness applications; compared SBA processes against federal guidance on credit programs; and interviewed staff from SBA, the Department of the Treasury, and four trade associations representing lenders. GAO recommends that SBA (1) finalize a process for claiming the PPP loan guarantee, (2) implement the statutory requirement to purchase PPP loans in advance of loan forgiveness or seek statutory exceptions to the requirement, (3) finalize procedures for the steps of its loan review process that are not yet documented, and (4) develop and implement a process to ensure timely communication with lenders. SBA generally agreed with the four recommendations, including seeking statutory flexibility or repeal of the requirement to purchase PPP loans in advance of loan forgiveness."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07-29
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Assessing the Federal Government's COVID-19 Relief and Response Efforts and Its Impact, Hearing Before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, July 29, 2021
This is from the July 29, 2021 hearing, "Assessing the Federal Government's COVID-19 Relief and Response Efforts and Its Impact," held before the U.S. House Committee on Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. This hearing focuses on the oversight of government spending in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A video of the hearing is available for viewing, and statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael E. Horowitz, Heather Krause, Chris Currie, Eric J. Soskin, James Izzard, Paul Skoutelas, Juan Ortiz, Michael J. Boskin, Wendy Edelberg, and John Samuelsen.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
2021-07-29
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Cybersecurity and Information Technology: Federal Agencies Need to Strengthen Efforts to Address High-Risk Areas, Statement of Carol C. Harris, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The nation's critical infrastructures and federal agencies are dependent on IT [information technology] systems and electronic data to carry out operations and to process, maintain, and report essential information. Each year, the federal government spends more than $100 billion on cybersecurity and IT investments. GAO has long stressed the continuing and urgent need for effective cybersecurity, as underscored by recent events that have illustrated persistent and evermore sophisticated cyber threats and incidents. Moreover, many IT investments have failed, performed poorly, or suffered from ineffective management. Accordingly, GAO has included information security on its high-risk list since 1997 and added improving the management of IT acquisitions and operations in 2015. In its March 2021 high-risk series update, GAO reported that significant attention was needed in both of these important areas. GAO was asked to testify on federal agencies' efforts to address cybersecurity and the management of IT. For this testimony, GAO relied on selected products it previously issued."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Harris, Carol C.
2021-07-28
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FY 2018 Audit of Science and Technology Bankcard Program Indicates Risks
From the Highlights: "'The Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012' requires the Office of Inspector General to conduct an annual risk assessment and periodic audits of agency charge card programs. We conducted this audit to determine to what extent S&T [Science and Technology Directorate] implemented internal controls to ensure that its Bankcard Program is managed and maintained to prevent illegal, improper, and erroneous purchases and payments, as required. [...] Although the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) had internal controls in place to ensure it managed and maintained its Bankcard Program as required, S&T did not always adhere to Department of Homeland Security and internal purchase card policies and procedures. Of 421 purchase card transactions selected for review, we identified 394 transactions that did not have required supporting documentation, separation of key transaction duties, approvals and other required signatures, or did not comply with other risk-based procedures. According to S&T officials, these issues occurred due to shortfalls in program oversight and training, as well as outdated policy. As a result, we identified $63,213 in questionable costs associated with purchase card transactions for which S&T personnel could not provide supporting documentation."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Johnson, William; Hughes, Kathy; McCowin, LaTrina . . .
2021-07-27
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Inadequate FEMA Oversight Delayed Completion and Closeout of Louisiana's Public Assistance Projects
From the Highlights: "From 2013 to 2018, Louisiana received nearly $957 million to help recover from nine federally-declared disasters. Our objective was to determine to what extent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ensures Louisiana manages and provides oversight of Public Assistance (PA) grants to ensure compliance with Federal regulations. [...] FEMA did not ensure Louisiana adequately managed and provided oversight of PA grants to make certain the State complied with Federal regulations. Specifically, Louisiana had a backlog of 600 incomplete projects beyond their approved completion dates. We attribute this to the State not conducting regular site visits to assess subrecipients' ongoing projects and identify and resolve issues as they arose that would have helped ensure prompt project completion. In addition, FEMA had a backlog of 2,150 completed grant projects it had not closed out due to inadequate oversight of its Region 6 staff to ensure they promptly carried out this responsibility."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Arnold, Larry; Skrmetti, John; James, Mary . . .
2021-07-27
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Fact Sheet: The Biden Administration Blueprint for a Fair, Orderly and Humane Immigration System
From the Webpage: "The United States can have an orderly, secure, and well-managed border while treating people fairly and humanely. In January, the Biden-Harris Administration 'launched' [hyperlink] a broad, whole of government effort to reform our immigration system, including sending to Congress legislation that creates a new system to responsibly manage and secure our border, provide a pathway to citizenship, and better manage migration across the Hemisphere. [...] Today the Administration is releasing a blueprint that outlines the next steps Federal agencies will be taking to continue implementing the President's transformative vision for a 21st century immigration system that secures the border, fairly and efficiently considers asylum claims, strengthens regional migration management efforts in North and Central America, and addresses the root causes of migration from Central America."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2021-07-27
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1734, Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on May 26, 2021. From the Bill Summary: "H.R. 1734 would extend the collection of coal reclamation fees through 2036. The bill would reauthorize annual payments to states and Indian tribes under the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program, which would be made without further appropriation. Under the bill, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) would be required to disburse previously sequestered amounts to states and tribes. The bill also would exempt future payments from sequestration. Finally, H.R. 1734 would increase the minimum annual payment that some states receive from $3 million to $5 million."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-27
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Pipeline Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure, Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate, First Session, July 27, 2021
This is from the July 27, 2021 hearing, "Pipeline Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. This hearing reviews "the current state of pipeline cybersecurity and the role that federal regulators play in protecting our nation's critical infrastructure from malicious actors." The hearing also provides "members an opportunity to examine recent actions taken in response to pipeline cyber incidents and gaps in our current oversight and regulatory structure." A video of the hearing is available for viewing, and statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Polly Trottenberg, Leslie Gordon and David Pekoske.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
2021-07-27
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MMWR Early Release: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 27, 2021: Guidance for Implementing COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in the Context of Varying Community Transmission Levels and Vaccination Coverage
he Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Guidance for Implementing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Prevention Strategies in the Context of Varying Community Transmission Levels and Vaccination Coverage." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from MMWR can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2021.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2021-07-27
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1471, Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on May 26, 2021. From the Document: "S. 1471 would make it a federal crime to export Native American cultural items, archaeological resources, and objects of antiquity without proper authorization and would require exporters to obtain an export certification. Federal agencies would need to convene working groups to reduce trafficking and encourage repatriation of cultural heritage items. The bill also would direct the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of State to designate liaisons to facilitate voluntary returns of unlawfully acquired items. Those agencies would provide training to tribal organizations, collectors, and dealers concerning the new prohibitions."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-07-27
