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EPA Regulations and Electricity: Update on Agencies' Monitoring Efforts and Coal-Fueled Generating Unit Retirements, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] recently proposed or finalized four regulations affecting coal-fueled electricity generating units, which provide about 37 percent of the nation's electricity supply. These regulations are the: (1) Cross-State Air Pollution Rule; (2) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; (3) Cooling Water Intake Structures regulation; and (4) Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals regulation. In 2012, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported that, in response to these regulations and other factors such as low natural gas prices, companies might retire or retrofit some units. GAO reported that these actions may increase electricity prices and, according to some stakeholders, may affect reliability--the ability to meet consumers' demand--in some regions. In 2012, GAO recommended that DOE [Department of Energy], EPA, and FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] develop and document a formal, joint process to monitor industry's progress responding to these regulations. In June 2014, EPA proposed new regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that will also affect these units. GAO was asked to update its 2012 report. This report examines (1) agencies' efforts to respond to GAO's recommendation and (2) what is known about planned retirements and retrofits. GAO reviewed documents, analyzed data, and interviewed agency officials and stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-08-15
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Ground Radar and Guided Munitions: Increased Oversight and Cooperation Can Help Avoid Duplication among the Services' Programs, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Over the past five years, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has found potential overlap or duplication in DOD weapon system investments. Overlap occurs when multiple agencies or programs are engaged in similar activities. Duplication occurs when two or more agencies or programs are engaged in the same activities. Senate Report 113-44 accompanying the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act mandated that GAO examine the military services' ground radar and air-to-ground precision guided munitions programs for potential duplication. Ground radars are sensors used to detect and track targets, and precision guided munitions are weapons intended to accurately engage and destroy enemy targets. This report examines the extent to which potential overlap or duplication exists across the military services' (1) ground radar and (2) air-to-ground precision guided munitions programs. GAO analyzed program documentation on system performance requirements and capabilities and interviewed DOD officials about potential duplication."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-12
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Building Partner Capacity: State and DOD Need to Define Time Frames to Guide and Track Global Security Contingency Fund Projects, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "As instability abroad threatens U.S. and foreign partners' interests, the United States has emphasized the importance of building partner capacity to address emerging threats. Congress established GSCF [Global Security Contingency Fund] in fiscal year 2012, and this pilot authority allows State and DOD to pool funds and expertise to address near- to mid-term needs for training, equipping, and enhancing foreign security forces. State and DOD jointly administer GSCF and are required to notify Congress of their intent to transfer funds and initiate GSCF activities before starting project execution. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was mandated to review State and DOD's procedures for managing GSCF. This report (1) describes processes State and DOD have developed to manage the program, (2) describes the status of GSCF projects, and (3) assesses the extent to which State and DOD have clearly defined time frames for GSCF projects. GAO analyzed State and DOD guidance and GSCF documents, and compared GSCF guidance to internal control standards. GAO also interviewed State and DOD officials about GSCF."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-11-20
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6743, Consumer Information Notification Requirement Act
"H.R. 6743 would require several federal agencies to establish standards regarding how financial institutions provide notifications of a data breach to customers. Under the bill, State insurance authorities would be required to enforce those standards. Under the bill, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be required to create or update their standards for notifying people about a data breach. Using information from several of those affected agencies, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that the costs to implement the bill would not be significant for any agency."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2018-12-20
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 6730, Injunctive Authority Clarification Act of 2018
"H.R. 6730 would prohibit federal courts from issuing injunctions that restrain defendants from enforcing policies against non-parties to civil actions. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] expects that the bill would limit the issuance of nationwide injunctions. In recent years, district courts have issued dozens of nationwide injunctions that have temporarily stopped the executive branch from implementing immigration, environmental, and other policies. Such injunctions affect the scope of and timeframes for implementing new policies and programs, and sometimes affect the amount and pace of federal spending."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2018-10-19
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Oversight of the FBI and DOJ Actions in Advance of the 2016 Election, Joint Hearing Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, June 19, 2018
This is the June 19, 2018 joint hearing on "Oversight of the FBI and DOJ Actions in Advance of the 2016 Election," held before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Jerrold Nadler: "We have all seen the pictures of immigrant children ripped apart from their parents at the border. These children are not animals. They are not bargaining chips. They are not leverage to help President Trump build his wall. They are children who have been forcibly removed from their parents in our name. Every day that they are separated from their parents is a day we do irreparable harm to their health and well-being. The United States should be better than this. We should not put children in cages. The minute this hearing adjourns, sooner if we can [...] I hope our committees can work together to end this cruel practice without delay." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record by Michael E. Horowitz.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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H.R. 4528, to Make Technical Amendments to Certain Marine Fish Conservation Statues, and for Other Purposes; H.R. 5248, ''Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act''; and H.R. 1456, ''Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2017'', Legislative Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans of the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, April 17, 2018
This is the April 17, 2018 hearing on two bills regarding shark finning, 'Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act' and 'Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2017,' held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans of the Committee on Natural Resources. From the opening statement of Rob Bishop: "We are dealing with three bills that I consider significant, all dealing with fish. [...] The first two that we are going to consider take different approaches to address a really heinous practice of shark finning. Shark finning was made illegal in the United States by U.S. actors both in 2000, and once again in 2010. These two laws, I think, have had an effect, and they have done something that is very positive. Today, we are going to talk about the practice that is done by foreign nations." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Robert E. Hueter, Vance Kondon, Glenn R. Parsons, John Polston, Alan Risenhoover, Edward R. Royce, Darren Soto, and Daniel Webster.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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Security Clearances: Tax Debts Owed by DOD Employees and Contractors
From the Document: "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) reported that, as of October 2013, over 5.1 million federal employees (civilian and military) and contractors held--or were individuals eligible to hold--a security clearance due to a favorable adjudication. The number of personnel determined eligible for clearance or who currently hold a security clearance underscores the importance of security-clearance adjudicators conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of security-clearance applicants as these clearances may allow government personnel to gain access to classified information that, through unauthorized disclosure, can in some cases cause exceptionally grave damage to U.S. national security. Federal regulations state that these assessments should include a review of a host of factors, including an applicant's financial position and relevant tax-debt information, in addition to other available, reliable information about the person, past and present, favorable and unfavorable. Federal law does not expressly prohibit an individual with unpaid federal taxes from being granted a security clearance; however, delinquent tax debt does pose a potential vulnerability that is to be considered in making a broader determination of whether an applicant should be granted a security clearance. Specifically, federal regulations state that an individual who is financially overextended is at risk of having to engage in illegal acts to generate funds, and that adjudicating officials must weigh an individual's inability or unwillingness to satisfy debts, such as federal tax debts, as they relate to an individual's financial and personal conduct when making the security-clearance determination."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-07-28
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Older Americans: Inability to Repay Student Loans May Affect Financial Security of a Small Percentage of Retirees, Statement of Charles A. Jeszeck, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Special Committee on Aging, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Recent studies have indicated that many Americans may be approaching their retirement years with increasing levels of various kinds of debt. Such debt can reduce net worth and income, thereby diminishing overall retirement financial security. Student loan debt held by older Americans can be especially daunting because unlike other types of debt, it generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine the extent of student loan debt held by older Americans and the implications of default. This testimony provides information on: (1) the extent to which older Americans have outstanding student loans and how this debt compares to other types of debt, and (2) the extent to which older Americans have defaulted on federal student loans and the possible consequences of default. To address these issues, GAO obtained and analyzed relevant data from the Federal Reserve Board's Survey of Consumer Finances as well as data from the Department of the Treasury, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Education. GAO also reviewed key agency documents and interviewed knowledgeable staff."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-09-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1786, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act, Reauthorization of 2014
"H.R. 1786 would reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, which was created to improve the understanding of windstorms and their impacts and to develop measures to reduce the damage they cause. The bill also would establish new committees to coordinate the activities of federal agencies participating in the program and to assess developments in efforts to mitigate damage from windstorms. Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H.R. 1786 would cost $21 million over the 2015-2019 period. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply to this legislation because it would not affect direct spending or revenues. H.R. 1786 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 1786 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget functions 250 (general science, space, and technology), 300 (natural resources and environment), 370 (commerce and housing credit), and 450 (community and regional development)."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2014-03-06
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2329, Ensuring Access to Justice for Claims Against the United States Act
"H.R. 2329 would amend the federal judicial code to allow plaintiffs with cases against the United States to file those claims simultaneously in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC) as well as in District Court. Under current law, the USCFC is prohibited from having jurisdiction over any claim in which the plaintiff has a pending lawsuit against the United States. By allowing plaintiffs with cases that could qualify in both courts to file those suits at the same time, H.R. 2329 would increase the number of lawsuits against the United States, which would probably result in increased payments out of the Claims and Judgment Fund (a permanent, indefinite appropriation for claims and judgments against the United States). CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that enacting H.R. 2329 would increase direct spending by $600 million over the 2016-2025 period; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the legislation would not affect revenues. Based on information from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC), CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2329 would not have a significant effect on spending subject to appropriation. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2329 would not increase net direct spending or onbudget deficits by $5 billion or more in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2026. H.R. 2329 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2015-09-29
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S.766, Driver Privacy Act of 2015
"S. 766 would establish that any data collected by event data recorders (EDRs) in motor vehicles are the property of the owner or lessee of the vehicle and would set broad conditions under which such data could be retrieved by others for purposes such as judicial proceedings, investigations, and traffic safety research. The bill also would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to complete a study and a rulemaking about the data collected by EDRs."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2015-04-08
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Opportunity Exists to Improve Transparency of Civil Penalty Fund Activities, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives
From the Document: "The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, also known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has developed a process for administering the Consumer Financial Civil Penalty Fund (Civil Penalty Fund). CFPB deposits collected civil money penalties into the fund to compensate eligible victims and may also use the fund for the purpose of consumer education and financial literacy programs. CFPB has implemented a number of internal controls for managing the fund. For example, CFPB has segregated key duties and responsibilities among staff, which is consistent with internal controls for reducing the risk of management error or fraud. CFPB has also implemented controls for tracking the collection of penalty funds, determining the allocation amount to classes of eligible victims, and monitoring the third-party vendors that distribute the funds. For example, in CFPB's Civil Penalty Fund Rule, the agency outlines a 6-month allocation schedule, which establishes a timeline for funds to be pooled and distributed. In addition, CFPB has written policies that describe roles and the process related to making allocations to consumer education and financial literacy programs. However, according to officials, CFPB did not document the factors the Fund Administrator considered in determining the allocation of funds for consumer education and financial literacy programs for the first allocation period. Federal internal control standards state that it is important to document significant events clearly and completely and to promptly record transactions and other significant events. Documenting the specific factors the Fund Administrator considers each time funds are allocated would make such decisions more transparent and would help to ensure that future allocation decisions are made in a consistent manner."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-06
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Defense Headquarters: Guidance Needed to Transition U.S. Central Command's Costs to the Base Budget, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] is one of six geographic combatant commands that DOD operates to perform its military missions. CENTCOM's geographic region is composed of countries located in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central and South Asia. CENTCOM and each of its service component commands' headquarters are composed of military and civilian personnel and receive millions of dollars in funding each year to accomplish assigned missions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was mandated to review CENTCOM's resources. This report (1) identifies trends in personnel devoted to CENTCOM and its service component commands since fiscal year 2001 and any steps DOD is planning to take for reducing personnel in the future, and (2) assesses how DOD funds CENTCOM and its service component commands' headquarters costs. GAO analyzed data on authorized positions, temporary personnel, and headquarters costs for CENTCOM and its service component commands from fiscal years 2001 through 2013. GAO also interviewed DOD officials about commands' resources and plans for funding headquarters costs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-06
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Terrorism Insurance: Treasury Needs to Collect and Analyze Data to Better Understand Fiscal Exposure and Clarify Guidance, Report to the Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "Congress passed TRIA [Terrorism Risk Insurance Act] in 2002 to help ensure the availability and affordability of terrorism insurance for commercial property and casualty policyholders after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. TRIA was amended and extended twice and currently will expire at the end of 2014. Under TRIA, Treasury administers a program in which the federal government and private sector share losses on commercial property and casualty policies resulting from a terrorist attack. Because the federal government will cover a portion of insured losses, the program creates fiscal exposures for the government. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review TRIA. This report evaluates (1) the extent of available data on terrorism insurance and Treasury's efforts in determining federal exposure, (2) changes in the terrorism insurance market since 2002, and (3) potential impacts of selected changes to TRIA. To address these objectives, GAO analyzed insurance data, information from 15 insurers selected primarily based on size of insurer, interviewed Treasury staff and industry participants, updated prior work, and developed examples to illustrate potential fiscal exposure under TRIA."
United States. General Accounting Office
2014-05-22
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VA Education Benefits: VA Should Strengthen Its Efforts to Help Veterans Make Informed Education Choices, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In fiscal year 2013, VA [The Department of Veterans Affairs] provided over $12 billion in benefits for veterans' postsecondary education; however, questions have been raised as to whether some schools are receiving these funds as a result of inappropriate recruiting practices. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine issues related to schools' recruitment of veterans. This report examines (1) how selected schools recruit veterans, (2) veterans' school search and recruiting experiences, and (3) VA's actions to help veterans make informed decisions and to identify inappropriate recruiting practices. For the first question, GAO interviewed officials from 9 schools and reviewed websites of 30 additional schools; both groups were selected for variation in sector (public, nonprofit, and for-profit) and other criteria. For the second question, GAO surveyed a nationally representative group of student veterans, producing results generalizable to the student veteran population. For the third question, GAO reviewed relevant federal requirements and agency documents and interviewed agency officials. GAO also spoke with veteran and higher education organizations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-05
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DOD Financial Management: Effect of Continuing Weaknesses on Management and Operations and Status of Key Challenges, Statement of Asif A. Khan, Director, Financial Management and Assurance,Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Given the federal government's continuing fiscal challenges, it is more important than ever that the Congress, the administration, and federal managers have reliable, useful, and timely financial and performance information to help ensure fiscal responsibility and demonstrate accountability, particularly for the federal government's largest department, the Department of Defense [DOD]. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has previously reported that serious and continuing deficiencies in DOD's financial management make up one of three major impediments to achieving an opinion on the U.S. government's consolidated financial statements. GAO's statement focuses on (1) the effect of continuing financial management challenges on DOD management and operations and (2) DOD's efforts to improve financial management and its remaining challenges. GAO's statement is primarily based on previously issued reports, including GAO's updates on DOD high-risk areas and its audit reports on DOD's financial management, inventory management and asset visibility, weapon system costs, business transformation, and business system modernization."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Khan, Asif A.
2014-05-13
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Disaster Resilience: Actions Are Underway, but Federal Fiscal Exposure Highlights the Need for Continued Attention to Longstanding Challenges, Statement of Chris Currie, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and the District of Columbia: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Multiple factors including increased disaster declarations, climate change effects, and insufficient premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program increase federal fiscal exposure to severe weather events. Managing fiscal exposure from climate change and the National Flood Insurance Program are both on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] High Risk list. GAO has previously reported that building resilience to protect against future damage is one strategy to help limit fiscal exposure. However, in prior reports GAO also identified multiple challenges to doing so. Responsibility for actions that enhance resilience rests largely outside the federal government, so nonfederal entities also play a key role. This testimony discusses (1) resilience-building challenges GAO has previously identified; (2) federal efforts to facilitate resilience-building as part of Hurricane Sandy recovery; and (3) examples of nonfederal efforts to incentivize resilience building. This testimony is based on previous GAO reports issued from 1998 through 2014 related to hazard mitigation, climate change, flood insurance, and preliminary observations from GAO's ongoing work for this committee on federal resilience efforts related to the Sandy recovery. For the ongoing work, GAO reviewed documents such as the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy and a 2012 National Academies study on building resilience. GAO also interviewed officials from FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris
2014-05-14
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Tobacco Products: FDA Spending and New Product Review Time Frames, Statement of Marcia Crosse Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "In 2009, the Tobacco Control Act granted FDA authority to regulate tobacco products such as cigarettes. The act authorizes FDA to assess and collect user fees from each tobacco manufacturer and importer for FDA activities related to tobacco product regulation. The act also requires that manufacturers submit information--for example, a statement of the tobacco product's ingredients--to be reviewed by FDA in order to market new tobacco products. FDA reviews the products using a public health standard, taking into account the risks and benefits of tobacco products on the population as a whole, including users and nonusers. The act represents the first time that FDA has had the authority to regulate tobacco products. This testimony highlights and provides selected updates to key findings from our September 2013 report, entitled, 'New Tobacco Products: FDA Needs to Set Time Frames for Its Review Process' (GAO-13-723). This report examined (1) the extent to which FDA spent its tobacco user fee funds, and (2) the status of CTP's [FDA's Center for Tobacco Products] reviews of new tobacco product submissions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed FDA data on tobacco user fees collected by FDA and spent by all of CTP's offices. GAO also analyzed CTP data on product submissions, including whether specific steps in the review process had been completed. […] In its September 2013 report, GAO recommended FDA establish time frames for making decisions on submissions. FDA plans to identify time frames in spring 2014 and implement them by October 2014."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Crosse, Marcia
2014-04-08
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DOD Financial Management: Actions Under Way Need to Be Successfully Completed to Address Long-standing Funds Control Weaknesses, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "GAO [Government Accountability Office], the DOD [Department of Defense] Inspector General (IG), and others have reported on DOD's inability to provide effective control over the use of public funds (i.e., funds control). Funds control requires obligations and expenditures to comply with applicable law. Funds control weaknesses have prevented DOD from reporting reliable financial information, including information on the use of public funds, results of operations, and financial statements, and put DOD at risk of overobligating and overexpending its appropriations in violation of the Antideficiency Act (ADA). GAO was asked to review the status of DOD's efforts to address its funds control weaknesses. GAO's objectives were to determine the (1) extent of reported weaknesses in DOD's funds control and their effect and (2) status of DOD's corrective actions to address known weaknesses. GAO analyzed 333 GAO, DOD IG, and military department audit reports; DOD reports of ADA violations; and selected DOD financial reports. GAO also examined DOD actions to address audit findings and ADA violations, including actions under DOD's FIAR Plan, and discussed corrective actions on funds control weaknesses with DOD and military department auditors and financial managers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-04
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Information Technology: IRS Needs to Improve the Reliability and Transparency of Reported Investment Information, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "IRS [Internal Revenue Service] relies extensively on IT [information technology] systems to annually collect more than $2 trillion in taxes, distribute more than $300 billion in refunds, and carry out its mission of providing service to America's taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations. For fiscal year 2014, the agency's budget request is $2.6 billion for IT. Given the size and significance of IRS's IT investments, and the challenges inherent in successfully delivering these complex IT systems, it is important that Congress be provided reliable cost, schedule, and scope information to assist with its oversight responsibilities. Accordingly, GAO's [Government Accountability Office] objectives were to (1) summarize the reported cost and schedule performance for IRS's major IT investments and assess the reporting of the performance information (2) for selected investments, evaluate the reliability of reported cost and schedule variances; and (3) determine IRS's progress in implementing a quantitative measure of functionality delivered for projects. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed documentation, including monthly cost and schedule variance reports, and interviewed staff, including those from selected investments which are critical to IRS's mission. […] GAO is making recommendations for IRS to report more comprehensive and reliable cost and schedule information and improve the transparency of reported scope information for its major investments. IRS agreed with GAO's recommendations and stated it believed it had addressed one of them. GAO continues to believe further actions are needed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-04
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Information Security: IRS Needs to Address Control Weaknesses That Place Financial and Taxpayer Data at Risk, Report to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
From the Highlights: "The IRS [Internal Revenue Service] has a demanding responsibility in collecting taxes, processing tax returns, and enforcing the nation's tax laws. It relies extensively on computerized systems to support its financial and mission-related operations and on information security controls to protect the financial and sensitive taxpayer information that resides on those systems. As part of its audit of IRS's fiscal years 2013 and 2012 financial statements, GAO [Government Accountability Office] assessed whether controls over key financial and tax processing systems are effective in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of financial and sensitive taxpayer information. To do this, GAO examined IRS information security policies, plans, and procedures; tested controls over key financial applications; and interviewed key agency officials at six sites. […] GAO is recommending that IRS take 3 actions to more effectively implement portions of its information security program. In a separate report with limited distribution, GAO recommends that IRS take 23 specific actions to address identified control weaknesses. In commenting on a draft of this report, IRS agreed to develop a detailed corrective action plan to address each recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-04
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National Nuclear Security Administration: Agency Report to Congress on Potential Efficiencies Does Not Include Key Information, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Nuclear weapons are an essential part of the nation's defense strategy, and NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] is charged with performing key activities in support of this strategy. Like other agencies, however, NNSA is being asked to find ways to operate more efficiently and reduce costs. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 mandated that NNSA submit a report to congressional defense committees that, among other things, includes an assessment of the role of the nuclear security complex sites, as well as opportunities for efficiencies at these sites and how these efficiencies may contribute to cost savings and help strengthen safety and security. The act required that NNSA's report include certain topics and mandated that GAO [Government Accountability Office] assess the report submitted by NNSA. This report evaluates the extent to which the NNSA report (1) assessed the role of nuclear security complex sites in supporting key NNSA activities and (2) identified opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings within the nuclear security complex. GAO analyzed NNSA's statutory reporting requirements, the agency's report to congressional committees and supporting documentation, and interviewed NNSA officials. […] GAO recommends that, when reporting on efficiencies and cost savings in the future, NNSA establish a methodology for estimating the savings derived from potential efficiencies and track savings resulting from efforts. NNSA disagreed, stating that the act did not require, as GAO recommends, that efficiencies be linked to cost savings. GAO believes its recommendation remains valid."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-04
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Journal of Military Learning (Volume 6, Number 1)
This April 2022 edition of the "Journal of Military Learning" contains the following articles: "Improving After Action Review (AAR): Applications of Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning" by Kim Cates, Marc Banghart, and Alexander Plant; "A Mixed Methods Analysis of STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] Major Attrition at the U.S. Air Force Academy" by Daniel S. O'Keefe, David Meier, Jorge Valentine-Rodríguez, Lachlan T. Belcher, and Wilson González-Espada; "The Impact of Military Occupational Specialty Training on the Trait Development of Marines" by Tom Miller, Bruce Moore, Michael D. "Mo" Becker, Calvin Lathan, and Adam Beatty; "The Cost of Compliance: A Call for Context in Military Behavioral Compliance Training" by Bradley J. Sanders; "Nontechnical Skills: A Development Hierarchy for Military Teams" by Sandra Veigas Campaniço Cavaleiro, Catarina Gomes, and Miguel Pereira Lopes; and "Upcoming Conferences of Note."
Army University Press (U.S.)
2022-04
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Information Security: SEC Needs to Improve Controls over Financial Systmes and Data, Report to the Chair, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
From the Highlights: "SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] is responsible for enforcing securities laws, issuing rules and regulations that protect investors, and helping to ensure that securities markets are fair and honest. In carrying out its mission, the commission relies extensively on computerized systems that collect and process financial and sensitive information. Accordingly, it is essential that SEC have effective information security controls in place to protect this information from misuse, fraudulent use, improper disclosure, manipulation, or destruction. As part of its audit of SEC's fiscal years 2013 and 2012 financial statements, GAO assessed the commission's information security controls. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of information security controls for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of SEC's key financial systems and information. To do this, GAO [Government Accountability Office] assessed security controls in key areas by reviewing SEC documents, testing selected systems, and interviewing relevant officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-04
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Risk Management for Distributed Energy Resources [presentation]
From the Summary: "Distributed Energy Resource Cybersecurity Framework (DERCF)[:] [1] A holistic tool for evaluating cybersecurity posture of sites with DER systems. [2] Offers a sharper focus on distributed energy technologies-- and greater emphasis on physical security and technical management. [3] The web-based tool converts simple user inputs to generate customized security control and practice recommendations that relate to their use of DERs. Results downloadable in a PDF report. [...] Distributed Energy Resource Risk Manager (DER-RM)[:] [1] Under development, extends the DERCF by applying it to the NIST RMF process. [2] Will be downloadable application that runs locally and documents all the major requirements for achieving Authority to Operate the DER."
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)
Sanghvi, Anuj
2021-09-20?
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FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin: May 2022
This May 2022 edition of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin contains the following content: "Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Police Department"; "Patch Call: Pennsylvania State Police"; "Preventing Attacks Using Targeted Violence Manifestos"; "Preventing Attacks Using Targeted Violence Manifestos"; "Perspective: Lights On!"; "Community Outreach Spotlight: FBI Explorers"; "Bulletin Reports: Causes of School Violence"; and "Bulletin Notes."
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
2022-05
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2014 Annual Report: Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Other Financial Benefits, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Document: "The federal government faces an unsustainable fiscal path. Changing this path will likely require difficult fiscal policy decisions to alter both long-term federal spending and revenue. Yet, in the near-term, executive branch agencies and Congress can act to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and activities. Opportunities to take action exist in areas where federal programs or activities are fragmented, overlapping, or duplicative. To highlight these opportunities, GAO [Government Accountability Office] is statutorily mandated to identify and report annually to Congress on federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives--either within departments or government-wide--that have duplicative goals or activities. In addition, we identify additional opportunities to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness that result in cost savings or enhanced revenue collection. […] This report is our fourth in the series, and it identifies additional areas where a broad range of federal agencies may be able to achieve greater efficiency or effectiveness. For each area, we suggest actions that the executive branch or Congress could take to reduce, eliminate, or better manage fragmentation, overlap, or duplication, or achieve other financial benefits. In addition to identifying new areas, we have continued to monitor the progress executive branch agencies and Congress have made in addressing the areas we previously identified. With the release of this report, we are also updating 'GAO's Action Tracker,' a publicly accessible website containing the status of actions suggested in this series of reports. The website will allow executive branch agencies, Congress, and the public to track the progress the government is making in addressing the issues we have identified."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-04
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Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability Office, Statement of Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "GAO's [Government Accountability Office] mission is to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. GAO provides nonpartisan, objective, and reliable information to Congress, federal agencies, and to the public and recommends improvements, when appropriate, across the full breadth and scope of the federal government's responsibilities. GAO's work supports a broad range of interests throughout Congress. In FY 2013, GAO received requests for our work from 95 percent of the standing committees of Congress and almost two-thirds of their subcommittees. Additionally, senior GAO officials testified at 114 hearings on national and international issues, before 60 committees and subcommittees that touch on virtually all major Federal Agencies. GAO remains one of the best investments in the federal government, and GAO's dedicated staff continues to deliver high quality results. In FY 2013 alone, GAO's work yielded $51.5 billion in financial benefits--a return of about $100 for every dollar invested in GAO. Since FY 2003, GAO's work has resulted in: [1] over ½ trillion dollars in financial benefits; and [2] about 14,500 program and operational benefits that helped to change laws, improve public services, and promote sound management throughout government. GAO is requesting a budget of $525.1 million to preserve its staff capacity and continue critical information technology and building infrastructure investments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dodaro, Gene L.
2014-03-11
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Power Sector Cybersecurity Building Blocks: Getting Started [presentation]
This presentation summarizes the focus of the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) report titled "Power Sector Cybersecurity Building Blocks" by Maurice Martin, Tami Reynolds, Anuj Sanghvi, Sadie Cox, and James Elsworth. The report describes the steps taken to manage cybersecurity risks. The full report can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859762]
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.); United States Energy Association; United States. Agency for International Development
2021-09-14
