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Key Facts about the New START Treaty [March 26, 2010]
According to this March 26, 2010 White House press release: "the New START [Strategic Arms Reduction] Treaty is organized in three tiers of increasing level of detail. The first tier is the Treaty text itself. The second tier consists of a Protocol to the Treaty, which contains additional rights and obligations associated with Treaty provisions. The basic rights and obligations are contained in these two documents. The third tier consists of Technical Annexes to the Protocol. All three tiers will be legally binding. The Protocol and Annexes will be integral parts of the Treaty and thus submitted to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent to ratification."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2010-03-26
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Statement from the President Regarding North Korea [May 25, 2009]
From the statement of the U.S. President regarding North Korea: "Today [May 25, 2009], North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations. North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-
2009-05-25
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President Bush's Statement on House Passage of India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Legislation [July 27, 2007]
From the Document: "President Bush commends the House of Representatives for last night's passage of landmark legislation to enable U.S. civil nuclear cooperation with India. This historic action by the House of Representatives is another important step toward building a new strategic partnership between the United States and India, the world's oldest and largest democracies. The U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative will help India generate more nuclear power to meet its enormous energy needs in a manner that does not increase greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, or increase demand on global oil and gas supplies. This initiative also advances U.S. nonproliferation objectives by bringing India into the international nonproliferation mainstream. The President urges the Senate to act expeditiously to pass companion legislation to enable this important initiative to become a reality."
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2006-07-27
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Civil Rights Auditors: Defining Reasonable Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions on First Amendment Activities [video]
From the Video Description: "NPS-CHDS [Naval Postgraduate School-Center for Homeland Defense and Security] master's graduate Gary Cummings (MA1803/1804), Lieutenant at the Garland Police Department [hyperlink], talks about how police increasingly encounter citizens who challenge constitutional boundaries between civil rights and police power. These so-called 'civil rights auditors' and 'copwatchers' record government officials with cell phones or body cameras, while baiting or challenging them to cross constitutional lines established by the First Amendment. An officer reacting incorrectly in these encounters can--through action or inaction--create conflict, loss of police legitimacy, or liability for the officers or their agencies. Preliminary examination of auditor activities and current legal and scholarly works leads to the thesis question: What are reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions to civil liberties with regard to recording police, government property, and the public? Gary conducts a qualitative analysis of 59 auditor videos representing audits around the nation and identifies common tactics and targets among auditors, which provides scenarios for legal analysis and a policy review. This thesis reveals two things. First, auditors are not part of the legal, scholarly, and policy discussions and decision making; and second, through other areas of First Amendment case law, the Supreme Court has developed a framework for First Amendment challenges that directly applies to auditors. Gary applies this framework to the 10 locations commonly targeted by auditors." The duration of this video is 16 minutes and 25 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=834484].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Cummings, Gary D.
2020-07-15
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Regulating Hawala: Thwarting Terrorism or Jeopardizing Stability?
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis uses the case study method to investigate the unintended consequences that have resulted from the United States' efforts to deter criminal abuses of hawala. It explores the illegitimate and legitimate uses of hawala in Africa and the Middle East in the post-9/11 era. Despite extensive regulatory blocks, hawala has been a key financial node for the Taliban, Islamic State, and al-Shabaab. On the other hand, hawala serves as a lifeline for victims of terrorism in Africa and the Middle East. Any disruption in service jeopardizes their survival and protection. This study identifies how regulatory action has caused financial exclusion and is counterproductive to the United States' anti-money laundering efforts and campaigns against terrorism financing. Practices like de-risking encourage the growth of alternative money transfer systems. This assessment concludes with a recommendation to use mobile money platforms to reinvigorate the formal financial sector and promote financial inclusion. Mobile hawalas are already leveraging digital delivery channels and have gained rapid momentum. In lieu of further regulatory action, Western institutions can employ these emerging technologies to transform into more adaptive and advantageous competitors of hawala and avoid compromising the essential service it provides." A 12 minute and 10 second interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=866898].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Mali, Monika
2019-12
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Transportation Infrastructure: Bridge Conditions, 2005 to 2014, Briefing for Congressional Staff, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives, September 22, 2015
From the Document: "Bridge safety remains a high-priority issue for our transportation system. Despite recent progress in improving bridge conditions, 10 percent of the nation's 610,000 bridges were considered structurally deficient as of December 2014, according to the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory (NBI).[...] In summary, based on 2014 NBI data, the nation has 610,749 bridges. Of those bridges, 23 percent are on the NHS, and this 23 percent comprise 58 percent of the nation's total deck area. Nearly 25 percent of all bridges are deficient, with 10 percent categorized as structurally deficient and 14 percent categorized as functionally obsolete. Of bridges on the NHS, 4 percent are categorized as structurally deficient while 17 percent are categorized as functionally obsolete. State agencies own about half of all bridges and over 90 percent of NHS bridges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-10-29
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Interoperability in the State of Vermont [video]
In this Viewpoints interview, "Col. Sonny Schumacher explains his unique role in the state of Vermont - where the expertise of the Vermont National Guard and his personal experience in applying strategic vision to technology-centric issues have been used to assist the state communications board with moving forwards in implementing a successful statewide plan for interoperable communications." The duration of the video is 8 minutes and 22 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Schumacher, Sonny
2009-08-17
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Aviation Security: Improved Testing, Evaluation, and Performance Measurement Could Enhance Effectiveness, Statement of Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation system, billions of dollars have been spent on a wide range of programs designed to enhance aviation security. Continuing fiscal pressure highlights the need for DHS's TSA [Transportation Security Administration], the primary federal agency responsible for aviation security, to allocate its finite resources for the greatest impact. This testimony addresses the extent to which TSA has (1) evaluated the overall effectiveness of new technologies, programs, and processes using robust methods of testing and evaluation, (2) established performance measures that fully reflect program goals, and (3) used program data to identify opportunities for improvement. This statement is based on findings from GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports and testimonies issued from January 2013 through June 2015, with selected updates conducted from April 2015 through October 2015 to, among other things, determine progress made in implementing previous GAO recommendations. For prior work, GAO analyzed TSA policy documents and interviewed TSA officials, among other things. For the updates, GAO reviewed documents and followed up with TSA officials about actions to address GAO recommendations. GAO has previously made recommendations to DHS to strengthen TSA's aviation security programs. DHS generally agreed and has either addressed or has actions underway to address most of them. Consequently, GAO is not making new recommendations in this testimony."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-11-03
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Surface Transportation Security: TSA Has Taken Steps Designed to Develop Processes for Sharing and Analyzing Information and to Improve Rail Security Incident Reporting, Statement of Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Transportation Security and Counterterrorism and Intelligence, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The U.S. surface transportation system's size and importance to the country's safety, security, and economic well-being make it an attractive target for terrorists. Within the federal government, TSA [Transportation Security Administration]-a component of the Department of Homeland Security-is the primary federal agency responsible for overseeing and enhancing the security of the surface transportation system. A key component of this responsibility is ensuring that security-related information is collected, analyzed, and shared effectively across all modes, including rail. In 2008, TSA issued a regulation requiring U.S. passenger rail agencies to report all potential threats and significant security concerns to TSA, among other things. This testimony addresses the extent to which TSA has (1) developed systematic processes for integrating stakeholder feedback about security-related information it provides and analyzing trends in reported rail security incidents and (2) ensured consistent implementation of rail security incident reporting requirements. This statement is based on related GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports issued in June 2014 and December 2012, including selected updates on TSA's efforts to implement GAO's prior recommendations related to rail security and information sharing. For the selected updates, GAO reviewed related documentation, including tools TSA developed to provide oversight. GAO also interviewed TSA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-09-17
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Aviation Security: TSA Has Taken Steps to Improve Oversight of Key Programs, but Additional Actions Are Needed, Statement of Jennifer Grover, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation system, billions of dollars have been spent on a wide range of programs designed to enhance aviation security. Securing commercial aviation remains a daunting task, and continuing fiscal pressure highlights the need for TSA [Transportation Security Administration] to determine how to allocate its finite resources for the greatest impact. GAO [Government Accountability Office] previously reported on TSA's oversight of its aviation security programs, including the extent to which TSA has the information needed to assess the programs. This testimony focuses on TSA's oversight of aviation security measures including, among other things (1) Secure Flight, (2) Advanced Imaging Technology, and (3) Managed Inclusion. This statement is based on reports and testimonies issued from December 2011 through March 2015, with selected updates conducted from November 2014 through April 2015 to determine progress made in implementing previous GAO recommendations. For prior work, GAO analyzed TSA documents and interviewed TSA officials, among other things. For the updates, GAO reviewed documents and interviewed TSA officials about actions taken to address our recommendations. GAO has previously made recommendations to DHS to strengthen TSA's oversight of aviation security programs. DHS generally agreed and has actions underway to address them. Consequently, GAO is not making any new recommendations in this testimony."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Grover, Jennifer
2015-05-13
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Aviation Security: TSA Has Taken Steps to Improve Oversight of Key Programs, but Additional Actions Are Needed, Statement of Jennifer Grover, Director,Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. Senate
From the Highlight: "Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation system, billions of dollars have been spent on a wide range of programs designed to enhance aviation security. Securing commercial aviation remains a daunting task, and continuing fiscal pressure highlights the need for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to determine how to allocate its finite resources for the greatest impact. GAO [Government Accountability Office] previously reported on TSA's oversight of its aviation security programs, including the extent to which TSA has the information needed to assess the programs. This testimony focuses on TSA's oversight of aviation security measures including, among other things (1) Secure Flight, (2) Advanced Imaging Technology, and (3) Managed Inclusion. This statement is based on reports and testimonies issued from December 2011 through May 2015. For prior work, GAO analyzed TSA documents and interviewed TSA officials, among other things. GAO has previously made recommendations to DHS to strengthen TSA's oversight of aviation security programs. DHS generally agreed and has actions underway to address them. Consequently, GAO is not making any new recommendations in this testimony."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-06-09
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Aviation Security: TSA Has Taken Steps to Improve Vetting of Airport Workers, Statement of Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation system, DHS has taken steps to vet airport workers to reduce the security risks they may pose at the approximately 450 commercial airports in the United States. According to TSA, the threat to civil aviation has not diminished--underscoring the need for effective airport worker screening programs. GAO [Government Accountability Office] previously reported on TSA's implementation of its Aviation Workers Program in which TSA and airports, in collaboration with the FBI, vet applicants against the FBI's criminal history records, terrorist watchlists and other databases, and issue credentials to qualifying airport workers. This testimony describes the role of TSA and airports in assessing airport workers for potential security threats, as well as challenges and recent improvements in vetting airport workers. This statement is based on a report and testimonies issued from December 2011 through June 2015, and selected updates in June 2015. For prior work, GAO analyzed TSA documents and interviewed TSA officials. For DHS's recent efforts to vet airport workers, we reviewed applicable policies and an April 2015 report on improving airport employee access control. GAO previously made recommendations to DHS to strengthen TSA's implementation of its Aviation Workers Program. DHS agreed and took actions to address them. GAO is not making any new recommendations in this testimony."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Grover, Jennifer
2015-06-16
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Screening Partnership Program: TSA's Cost and Performance Independent Study
From the Document: "Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains a federal workforce of screeners at a majority of the nation's commercial airports and oversees a smaller workforce of private screeners employed by companies under contract to TSA at airports that participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law 113-76, directed TSA to allocate resources for an independent study of the cost and performance of screening at non-SPP airports in comparison with the cost and performance of screening at SPP airports. Specifically, the study was to include, but was not limited to, security effectiveness, cost, throughput, wait times, management efficiencies, and customer satisfaction. TSA awarded a contract to conduct an independent study comparing the cost and performance of screening at non-SPP airports with the cost and performance of screening at SPP airports. The Study was completed in November 2014. […] GAO [Government Accountability Office] is not making any recommendations. GAO provided a draft to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the contractor that conducted the Study for their review and comment. DHS had no comments and the contractor provided technical comments. In general, the contractor's comments indicated that our draft report did not include some of the study's strengths and disagreed with some of the limitations we identified. GAO continues to believe the report findings are valid as discussed further in its report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-06-10
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International Food Assistance: Cargo Preference Increases Food Aid Shipping Costs, and Benefits Are Unclear, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Cargo preference laws require that a percent age of U.S. government cargo, including international food aid, be transported on U.S.-flag vessels according to geographic area of destination and vessel type. One intention is to ensure a merchant marine--both vessels and mariners--capable of providing sealift capacity in times of war or national emergency, including a full, prolonged activation of the reserve fleet. The CPFA [cargo preference for food aid] percentage requirement has varied over the years, and was reduced from 75 to 50 percent in 2012. Among other objectives, t his report examines (1) CPFA's impact on food aid shipping cost and U.S. agencies' implementation of CPFA requirements and (2) the extent to which the implementation of CPFA requirements contribute s to sufficient sealift capacity. GAO [Government Accountability Office] analyzed agency documents and bid data from April 2011 (when the food procurement database was implemented) through fiscal year 2014, and interviewed agency officials as well as maritime industry stakeholders. […] Recognizing that cargo preference serves statutory policy goals, Congress should consider clarifying CPFA legislation to define 'geographic area' in a manner that ensures agencies can fully utilize the flexibility Congress granted to them when it lowered the CPFA requirement. The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator of MARAD [Maritime Administration] to study the potential availability of all qualified mariners needed to meet a full and prolonged activation of the reserve sealift fleet; DOT agreed with this recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-08
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Intelligent Transportation Systems: Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Technologies Expected to Offer Benefits, but Deployment Challenges Exist, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Over the past two decades, automobile crash-related fatality and injury rates have declined over 34 and 40 percent respectively, due in part to improvements in automobile safety. To further improve traffic safety and provide other transportation benefits, DOT [Department of Transportation] is promoting the development of V2I [vehicle-to-infrastructure] technologies. Among other things, V2I technologies would allow roadside devices and vehicles to communicate and alert drivers of potential safety issues, such as if they are about to run a red light. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review V2I deployment. This report addresses: (1) the status of V2I technologies; (2) challenges that could affect the deployment of V2I technologies, and DOT efforts to address these challenges; and (3) what is known about the potential benefits and costs of V2I technologies. GAO reviewed documentation on V2I from DOT, automobile manufacturers, industry associations, and state and local agencies. In addition, GAO interviewed DOT, Federal Communication Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) officials. GAO also conducted structured interviews with 21 experts from a variety of subject areas related to V2I. The experts were chosen based on recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences and other factors. DOT, NTIA, and the FCC reviewed a draft of this report. DOT and NTIA provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate. FCC did not provide comments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-09
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Next Generation Air Transportation System: Improved Risk Analysis Could Strengthen FAA's Global Interoperability Efforts, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The United States, Europe, and other countries across the world are modernizing their ATM systems. As these efforts proceed, international coordination in developing interoperable ATM systems and procedures will be necessary to support a global aviation network and ensure the seamless transition of aircraft and aviation information across national borders. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review FAA's [Federal Aviation Administration] actions to achieve the interoperability of NextGen with other countries' ATM modernization efforts. This report examines (1) selected stakeholders' views on factors that might affect NextGen's global interoperability; (2) the extent to which FAA has established a strategy to effectively achieve NextGen's global interoperability; and (3) actions FAA has taken to coordinate with other countries on global interoperability. GAO reviewed documents pertaining to FAA's international strategy and collaborative efforts with foreign and domestic aviation stakeholders. GAO also interviewed FAA officials and 25 stakeholders representing different facets of the aviation industry including foreign ANSPs, manufacturers, and standards-making bodies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-07
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Border Security: Progress and Challenges in DHS's Efforts to Address Hight-Risk Travelers and Maritime Cargo, Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The National Strategy for Counterterrorism calls for a rapid and coordinated effort that uses U.S. government resources to mitigate threats to homeland security. DHS contributes to the U.S. government's efforts to combat terrorism and works to prevent inadmissible travelers and cargo from entering the United States. DHS's overseas efforts include ensuring visa security, inspecting passengers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights, and identifying high-risk cargo shipments. This statement addresses (1) the extent to which DHS has aligned resource use abroad with strategic priorities and (2) selected DHS programs abroad aimed at preventing high-risk travelers and maritime containerized cargo from entering the United States. This statement is based on prior products GAO [Government Accountability Office] issued from 2008 through January 2015, along with selected updates conducted in May 2015 to obtain information from DHS on actions it has taken to address prior GAO recommendations. GAO previously made recommendations to DHS to inform its resource deployment abroad and strengthen screening and targeting programs. DHS agreed with GAO's recommendations to inform resource deployment abroad and has actions planned or underway to address them. DHS did not agree with some of GAO's recommendations related to Visa Security Program (VSP); GAO continues to maintain that all of these recommendations should be addressed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-06-02
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Aviation Security: TSA's Managed Inclusion Process Expands Passenger Expedited Screening, But TSA Has Not Tested Its Security Effectiveness, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "In 2011, TSA began providing expedited screening to selected passengers and has expanded the availability of such screening to increasing numbers of passengers as part of its overall emphasis on risk-based security. Passengers who qualify for expedited screening enjoy varying levels of benefits, including not having to remove their shoes, light outerwear, jackets, belts, liquids, gels and laptops for X-ray screening at airport security checkpoints. By determining passenger risk prior to travel, TSA intended to focus its screening resources on higher-risk passengers while expediting screening for lower-risk passengers. Further, TSA developed the Managed Inclusion process, designed to provide expedited screening to passengers not deemed low risk prior to arriving at the airport. This testimony addresses (1) how TSA assesses the risk of passengers to determine their eligibility to receive expedited screening and (2) the extent to which TSA determined the effectiveness of its Managed Inclusion process. This statement is based on a report GAO [Government Accountability Office] issued in December 2014 and selected updates from March 2015. Among other things, GAO analyzed TSA policies and procedures and interviewed TSA security officials. […] In its December 2014 report, GAO recommended that TSA take steps to ensure and document that its planned testing of the Managed Inclusion process adheres to established evaluation design practices. DHS concurred with GAO's recommendation and is taking action to address it."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-03-25
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Transportation Safety: Federal Highway Administration Should Conduct Research to Determine Best Practices in Permitting Oversize Vehicles, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "In May 2013, a truck carrying an oversize load crashed into an interstate bridge in Washington state causing it to collapse. This crash raised issues about oversize vehicles and public safety. DOT [Department of Transportation] develops regulations on vehicle size and weight, and states enforce these standards with some oversight from DOT. States also issue their own regulations on vehicle size and weight and issue permits for oversize and overweight vehicles. The Joint Explanatory Statement of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014 required GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the role of federal and state agencies in overseeing oversize vehicles. This report discusses (1) how DOT regulates and provides oversight of oversize vehicles and (2) how states regulate oversize vehicles. GAO collected information from 50 states and the District of Columbia about their permitting practices; reviewed relevant federal legislation and DOT regulations and documents; and interviewed DOT and state officials from a non-generalizable sample of 10 states, chosen based on a variety of considerations, including geographic diversity and types of permitting requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-02
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Public Transit: Federal and Transit Agencies Taking Steps to Build Transit Systems' Resilience but Face Challenges, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Public transit systems, which receive funding from the federal government, are vulnerable to catastrophic events, as demonstrated by the impact Hurricane Sandy and other events have had on transit systems. These events highlight our reliance on transit systems for access to jobs, medical care, and other services, as well as the cost of recovering from these events. For instance, of the $50.5 billion Congress appropriated to help communities devastated by Sandy, $10.9 billion was provided for disaster relief to public transit agencies. Building resilience--the ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the risk of catastrophic events--is one strategy to help limit the nation's fiscal exposure to catastrophic events. GAO [United States Government Accountability Office] was asked to review transit system resilience to catastrophic events. This report examines (1) how DHS and DOT [Department of Transportation] help transit agencies make their systems resilient; (2) actions selected transit agencies take to make their systems resilient; and (3) challenges transit agencies face with making their systems resilient. GAO examined documentation and interviewed officials from DHS and DOT, and officials from nine transit and five emergency management agencies. GAO selected a non-generalizable sample of agencies in five locations, chosen for transit ridership volume and variation in geography, types of risks, and transit modes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-12
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Intellectual Property: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Could Better Manage Its Process to Enforce Exclusion Orders, Report to the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, ITC [U.S. International Trade Commission] investigates allegations of unfair import practices, including unlicensed use of intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks. If ITC finds a violation of this law, it generally issues an exclusion order that directs CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] to deny entry of infringing products into U.S. commerce. CBP must determine, without inhibiting legitimate trade, whether products arriving at 328 U.S. ports are covered by exclusion orders. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review CBP's enforcement of exclusion orders. This report (1) describes CBP's processes for enforcing exclusion orders and (2) assesses CBP's management of its enforcement process at ports of entry. GAO analyzed CBP and ITC documents and data from October 2009 through April 2014 and interviewed CBP and ITC officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-11
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E.O. 13985 Equity Action Plan: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 2022
From the Executive Summary: "Under the leadership of Administrator Michael S. Regan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed to making equity, environmental justice, and civil rights a centerpiece of the agency's mission. EPA's strategic plan for FY2022-2026--finalized in February 2022--includes 'Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights' as Strategic Goal 2 and outlines the following key objectives: [1] 'Objective 2.1': Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels[;] [2] 'Objective 2.2': Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA's Programs, Policies, and Activities[;] [and 3] 'Objective 2.3': Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice Concerns[.]"
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2022-04
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Federal Emergency Management Agency Equity Action Plan
From the Executive Summary: "FEMA serves the American public by helping people before, during, and after disasters, through its core values of respect, integrity, compassion, and fairness in its interactions with disaster survivors, colleagues, recipients, and partners. FEMA can enhance equity by executing a methodical, multilayered, and systematic approach to analyzing intended and actual accessibility to and impacts for underserved and marginalized communities. Starting from the highest level of leadership, FEMA is integrating equity into its strategic plan, goals and priorities, programs and activities, and foundational documents and processes. These actions will help to achieve the following impacts: [1] Underserved communities can access and leverage FEMA resources in ways that meet their needs. [2] Underserved communities are routinely consulted in FEMA decisions about policy and program implementation. [3] FEMA and our partners have the training and tools required to advance equity in their programs. [4] FEMA directs resources to eliminating disparities in outcomes. [5] FEMA programs routinely evaluate and address disparities in outcomes."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2022-02-23
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Aviation Security: TSA Should Take Additional Action to Obtain Stakeholder Input When Modifying the Prohibited Items List, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "As part of its responsibilities for securing civil aviation, TSA ensures that all passengers and their accessible property are screened and prohibits individuals from carrying onto aircraft items that it determines to be a threat. TSA maintains a public list of such items, known as the Prohibited Items List, and updates it as necessary. In March 2013, TSA announced it would modify the PIL to allow small knives and certain sporting equipment onto aircraft, stating the change would result in more efficient security screening. However, several aviation industry groups opposed the decision, leading TSA to reverse its decision to implement the change. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review TSA's procedures for modifying the PIL. This report examines, among other issues, (1) on what basis TSA modifies the PIL and the extent to which TSA assessed risk when considering recent modifications to the PIL [Prohibited Items List], and (2) the extent to which TSA involved stakeholders when considering these modifications. GAO reviewed TSA's standard operating procedures, risk assessment, documentation of its decisions and stakeholder outreach, and interviewed TSA officials at six airports. This is a public version of a report with Sensitive Security Information that GAO issued in December 2014. Information TSA deemed sensitive has been redacted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-02
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Information Security: FAA Needs to Address Weaknesses in Air Traffic Control Systems, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In support of its mission, FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] relies on the NAS [National Airspace System]--one of the nation's critical infrastructures--which is comprised of air traffic control systems, procedures, facilities, aircraft, and people who operate and maintain them. Given the critical role of the NAS and the increasing connectivity of FAA's systems, it is essential that the agency implement effective information security controls to protect its air traffic control systems from internal and external threats. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review FAA's information security program. Specifically, the objective of this review was to evaluate the extent to which FAA had effectively implemented information security controls to protect its air traffic control systems. To do this, GAO reviewed FAA policies, procedures, and practices and compared them to the relevant federal law and guidance; assessed the implementation of security controls over FAA systems; and interviewed officials. This is a public version of a report containing sensitive security information. Information deemed sensitive has been redacted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-01
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Federal Aviation Administration: Improved Tracking of Results Needed to Provide Confidence in Benefits of Streamlining Activities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "As fiscal pressures facing the federal government continue, so too does the need for federal agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and activities. Section 812 of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandated that FAA review its programs, offices, and organizations to, among other things, identify and address inefficient processes, wasteful practices, and duplication. In response, FAA identified 36 initiatives, including centralizing administrative functions and modernizing records management. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine FAA's progress to streamline and reform the agency as Congress considers reauthorizing FAA in fiscal year 2015. GAO examined how FAA determined the status of initiatives and the extent to which its efforts to implement initiatives were consistent with selected key practices for organizational transformations. Since each initiative sought to streamline or reform FAA, GAO identified four key practices for organizational transformations as applicable to these initiatives. GAO assessed FAA's efforts by comparing FAA documents to the selected key practices and interviewing agency officials leading each initiative."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2015-01
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Unmanned Aerial Systems: Efforts Made Toward Integration into the National Airspace Continue, but Many Actions Still Required, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "UASs [unmanned aerial systems] are aircraft that do not carry a pilot aboard, but instead operate on pre-programmed routes or are manually controlled by following commands from pilot-operated ground control stations. The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 put greater emphasis on the need to integrate UASs into the national airspace by requiring that FAA establish requirements governing them. FAA has developed a three-phased approach in its 5-year 'Roadmap' to facilitate incremental steps toward seamless integration. However, in the absence of regulations, unauthorized UAS operations have, in some instances, compromised safety. This testimony discusses 1) progress toward meeting UAS requirements from the 2012 Act, 2) key efforts underway on research and development, and 3) how other countries have progressed in developing UAS use for commercial purposes. This testimony is based on GAO's prior work and an ongoing study examining issues related to UAS integration into the national airspace system for civil and public UAS operations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dillingham, Gerald L.
2014-12-10
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Department of Veterans Affairs Equity Action Plan
From the Executive Summary of Action Plan: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not excluded from the systemic injustices and inequities that pervade American society. The GI Bill and loan guaranty programs were instrumental in economic prosperity and access to homeownership for Veterans in the postwar years, but Black Veterans lacked the same level of access. Additionally, exclusionary policies (e.g., Don't Ask Don't Tell) affecting LGBTQ+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and more] Service members led to the involuntary separation and denial of benefits for many LGBTQ+ Veterans. Other instances of inequities faced by underserved Veterans include disparities in claim rejection rates, unequal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compensation rates and access disparities for Veterans discharged under other-than-honorable (OTH) conditions. VA is reducing internal and external barriers that have impeded access to benefits, services, and healthcare. VA recognizes that internal barriers will require changes to policies, processes, and procedures to enable access to underserved Veterans. Conversely, external barriers such as legislation, infrastructure or technology differences can contribute to inequities. VA seeks to advance an inclusive environment that values and supports the diverse communities we serve--Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors--and cultivate 'equitable access to care, benefits and services for all.'"
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs
2022-04-14?
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U.S. Department of Transportation Equity Action Plan, January 2022
From the Executive Summary: "The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT or Department) is committed to pursuing a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all. In response to Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government [hyperlink], this Equity Action Plan highlights key actions that USDOT will undertake to expand access and opportunity to all communities while focusing on underserved, overburdened, and disadvantaged communities. The actions described here fall under four focus areas - wealth creation, power of community, interventions, and expanding access. Actions include providing technical assistance to small disadvantaged businesses, reinvigorating USDOT's programmatic enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, launching a national technical assistance center, and developing a national transportation cost burden measure. These actions were developed through an intensive effort, combining knowledge, experience, viewpoints, and data from the public, experts, and USDOT staff."
United States. Department of Transportation
2022-01
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U.S. General Services Administration Executive Order 13985 Equity Action Plan
From the Executive Summary: "The mission of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. GSA leverages the buying power of the Federal Government to provide federal purchasers with cost-effective, high-quality products and services from commercial vendors. GSA has two major buying Services that manage large-scale acquisition programs for use by federal customers: the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) and the Public Buildings Service (PBS). Housed within FAS is the Technology Transformation Services (TTS). In addition to FAS and PBS, the Office of Customer Experience (OCE), the Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) all play an integral role in influencing interagency best practices for driving meaningful and durable positive change. GSA delivers mission-critical services and products to federal agency customers and clients, which makes the agency uniquely positioned to have a multiplier effect across government in advancing equity and removing barriers for underserved communities."
United States. General Services Administration
2022-01-20
