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Federal Lands Snapshot: Hardrock Mining Systems
From the Document: "Federal lands, which comprise one-third of the lands in the U.S., are a major source of hardrock minerals, such as gold, silver, and copper. There were 748 authorized hardrock mining operations on federal lands, as of September 2018. Hardrock minerals play a major role in the U.S. and global economies and are widely used, including in smartphones and electric engines. However, mining hardrock minerals can create public health, safety, and environmental hazards. Questions have been raised about whether the systems used to manage hardrock mining on public lands adequately serve the nation's interests."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11-16
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Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Better Manage Shore Infrastructure, Statement of Heather MacLeod, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Why GAO [United States Government Accountability Office] Did This Study[:] The Coast Guard, within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), owns or leases more than 20,000 shore facilities--such as piers, boat stations, air stations, runways, and housing units--at more than 2,700 locations. This statement addresses (1) the condition of Coast Guard infrastructure, (2) Coast Guard actions to improve management of its shore infrastructure, and (3) challenges for the Coast Guard to address. This statement is based primarily on four GAO products issued from October 2017 through July 2020 and updates as of October 2021 on actions the Coast Guard has taken to address recommendations from these reports. GAO analyzed relevant Coast Guard documents and management processes, and interviewed Coast Guard officials. To conduct updates, GAO also reviewed Coast Guard budget information and other documentation, and interviewed officials on actions taken to implement prior GAO recommendations. What GAO Recommends: GAO has made recommendations in prior reports to improve the Coast Guard's asset management efforts, including reporting shore infrastructure needs more completely and accurately. DHS concurred with most of these recommendations and, in some cases, has taken steps toward addressing them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
MacLeod, Heather
2021-11-16
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Oil and Gas Leasing BLM Should Update Its Guidance and Review Its Fees, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "BLM [Bureau of Land Management] leases federal lands for oil and gas development through a process largely established with the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987. Through this process, the public can suggest which federal lands should be made available for leasing by nominating them. BLM state offices review nominations, including to assess potential environmental impacts. BLM then offers leases at competitive auctions. While no fee is required to submit nominations, BLM charges an application fee for any leases that parties acquire. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review oil and gas leasing on federal lands. This report examines: (1) changes to BLM's policies for oil and gas leasing since 1987, (2) outcomes for lands nominated for oil and gas leasing, and (3) the extent to which BLM reviews its oil and gas leasing fees in response to changing conditions. GAO analyzed BLM policies and guidance as well as data on nominations, leasing, costs, and fees collected. GAO also interviewed BLM headquarters and state office officials as well as representatives of two stakeholder groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11-06
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Biomedical Research: Observations on DOD's Management of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
From the Introduction: "The Department of Defense (DOD) is among the United States' largest federal sponsors of biomedical research, which contributes to discoveries of new drugs, vaccines, medical services, and other approaches for preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases, conditions, and injuries. [1] For fiscal year 2021, Congress appropriated nearly $2.4 billion for the Defense Health Program for research, development, test and evaluation, which includes biomedical research. [2] Of that amount, about $1.5 billion funded DOD's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), including 36 research program areas such as cancers, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, and spinal cord injury. [3] CDMRP has grown since its initial appropriation of $210 million in 1992 (about $367 million in fiscal year 2021 dollars) to fund a breast cancer research program."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Alternative Materials for Solar Cells
From the Document: "US generation of electricity from solar energy could grow six-fold by 2050. Alternatives to commonly used crystalline silicon cells may reduce material usage, manufacturing capital expenditures, and lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Many of these new materials, however, are under development, and more research is needed to better understand their potential."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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COVID-19: State Carried Out Historic Repatriation Effort but Should Strengthen Its Preparedness for Future Crises, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "State [Department of State] provides repatriation assistance to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents abroad during crises such as the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. State's Office of Crisis Management and Strategy and Bureau of Consular Affairs were primarily responsible for State's COVID-19 repatriation effort. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing COVID-19 monitoring and oversight efforts. In addition, GAO was asked to examine State's COVID-19 repatriation effort. This report examines, among other things, (1) the results of State's repatriation effort, including lessons State reported learning from challenges it faced; (2) the consistency of selected aspects of State's repatriation effort with its policies and procedures; and (3) State's oversight of its overseas posts' crisis preparedness."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Evidence-Based Policymaking: Survey Results Suggest Increased Use of Performance Information Across the Federal Government, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The GPRA [Government Performance and Results Act of 1993] Modernization Act of 2010 and the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 included requirements to enhance federal efforts to develop and use performance information and other evidence in decision-making. Both acts include provisions for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to periodically report on their implementation. This report assesses the extent to which (1) federal managers' reported use of performance information changed in 2020, and (2) selected leading practices and data-driven reviews were associated with greater reported use of performance information."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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COVID-19: HHS Agencies' Planned Reviews of Vaccine Distribution and Communication Efforts Should Include Stakeholder Perspectives, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Vaccination remains critical in the federal response to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Vaccine implementation-- prioritizing, allocating, distributing, and administering doses--requires coordination among federal, state, and local levels and other stakeholders. HHS agencies--including CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and HRSA [Health Resources and Services Administration]--set up federal vaccine distribution programs, such as CDC's retail pharmacy program that sends doses directly to pharmacies. The federal government also sends vaccine doses to states for further distribution. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines (1) stakeholder perspectives on federal programs to distribute and administer COVID-19 vaccines, (2) efforts to inform health officials, providers, and the public about vaccination, and (3) actions HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] agencies are taking to evaluate their vaccine implementation efforts. GAO reviewed data and documents from HHS, CDC, and HRSA, and reviewed information from and interviewed state and local health officials in four states and one city selected, in part, for geographic variation. GAO also interviewed other stakeholders, including 12 national associations representing health care providers and others."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Election Assistance Commission: Assessment of Lessons Learned Could Improve Grants Administration, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "During the 2020 federal elections, the EAC [U.S. Election Assistance Commission] administered $400 million in grant funds provided by the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act to help states prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The CARES Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report (1) describes information that the EAC provided to state and local election officials for conducting elections during the pandemic, (2) describes how the EAC administered CARES Act grant funding, and (3) examines the extent to which the EAC assessed its CARES Act grants administration."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Missile Defense: Recent Acquisition Policy Changes Balance Risk and Flexibility, but Actions Needed to Refine Requirements Process, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Since MDA [Missile Defense Agency] was established in 2002, DOD has invested over $174 billion developing and fielding missile defense capabilities. MDA has used its acquisition flexibilities to quickly develop and field capabilities, but has also had setbacks. In 2020, DOD determined that modifications to MDA's acquisition flexibilities were needed to better balance risk. Congress recently prohibited DOD from changing certain missile defense acquisition processes and responsibilities unless certain requirements were met. Congress also required DOD to enter into a contract for an independent study of MDA's acquisition process and organizational placement within DOD. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess whether DOD complied with these requirements. This report assesses the effects of recent changes DOD made to missile defense nonstandard acquisition processes and responsibilities and whether, in doing so, it met the statutory requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Financial Audit: Bureau of the Fiscal Service's FY 2021 and FY 2020 Schedules of Federal Debt, Report to the Secretary of the Treasury
From the Highlights: "GAO [Government Accountability Office] audits the consolidated financial statements of the U.S. government. Because of the significance of the federal debt to the government-wide financial statements, GAO audits Fiscal Service's Schedules of Federal Debt annually to determine whether, in all material respects, (1) the schedules are fairly presented and (2) Fiscal Service management maintained effective internal control over financial reporting relevant to the Schedule of Federal Debt. Further, GAO tests compliance with selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements related to the Schedule of Federal Debt."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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U.S. International Development Finance Corporation: Actions Needed to Improve Management of Defense Production Act Loan Program, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DFC [U.S. International Development Finance Corporation], the U.S. government's international development finance institution, began operations in December 2019. In June 2020, DFC and DOD started using certain DPA [Defense Production Act] authorities to conduct a 2-year domestic loan program to respond to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and strengthen relevant U.S. supply chains, under the President's Executive Order 13922. Members of Congress have expressed concern about DFC's ability to manage DPA activities along with its international development mission. House of Representatives Report 116- 444 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DFC's activities under the DPA. This report examines the extent to which DFC has (1) made loans that contributed to the pandemic response and planned to assess program effectiveness; (2) assessed and responded to the organizational risks of carrying out DPA activities along with its international development responsibilities; and (3) implemented internal controls to ensure full accounting of its DPA costs for DOD reimbursement."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Border Security Metrics: Progress Made, but DHS Should Take Additional Steps to Improve Information Quality, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The United States has approximately 6,000 miles of land borders, 95,000 miles of coastline, and more than 300 ports of entry where travelers and cargo are inspected. Securing U.S. border areas is a key part of DHS's mission, and its ability to measure border security activities is essential to managing its responsibilities effectively and efficiently. The 2017 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] requires DHS to report annually on 43 border security metrics. The act also includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office], within 270 days of receipt of the first report and biennially for the following 10 years, to review and report on the data and methodology in DHS's report. GAO issued its initial report in March 2019. This second report evaluates the report DHS issued in August 2020, which is known as the fiscal year 2019 report and contains data through fiscal year 2018. This report addresses the extent to which DHS (1) reported metrics outlined in the 2017 NDAA using quality information and (2) has taken steps to determine and convey the sensitivity of key assumptions and the statistical uncertainty of its unlawful entry metrics."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Department of Energy: Improvements Needed to Strengthen Strategic Planning for the Acquisition Workforce, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOE's [Department of Energy] federal acquisition workforce is responsible for managing risks throughout the contracting, or acquisition, process. GAO [Government Accountability Office] designated DOE contract and project management as a high-risk area because of DOE's record of inadequate contract management. Senate Report No. 116-48 accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 includes a provision for GAO to review issues affecting DOE's acquisition workforce. This report examines (1) the positions included in DOE's acquisition workforce and the extent to which this workforce receives acquisition-related training and (2) the extent to which DOE has implemented leading practices for effective strategic planning for its acquisition workforce."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Defense Acquisitions: DOD Should Take Additional Actions to Improve How it Approaches Intellectual Property, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Letter to Congressional Committees: "The Department of Defense (DOD) acquires and licenses intellectual property (IP)--including technical data, computer software, and user manuals--from companies to operate and maintain its cutting-edge weapon systems and other equipment it purchases. Acquiring and licensing IP is critical for ensuring these systems and equipment remain functional, sustainable, upgradable, and affordable. Additionally, we [Government Accountability Office] previously reported that companies told us intellectual property is essential to their survival, calling it the life-blood of their enterprise. As such, transactions that affect the ownership, control, or transfer of IP can have enormous implications for parties on both sides. [...] In the Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act], Congress included a provision for us to review DOD's efforts to improve IP acquisitions and licensing. This report (1) examines issues addressed in DOD's IP Instruction, (2) examines the extent to which DOD has implemented the IP Instruction, (3) assesses DAU [Defense Acquisition University]'s efforts to improve IP training, and (4) describes DOD's efforts to develop a capability to track the IP the department has acquired and licensed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Combating Illegal Fishing: Clear Authority Could Enhance U.S. Efforts to Partner with Other Nations at Sea, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "IUU [illegal, unreported, and unregulated] fishing undermines the economic and environmental sustainability of the fishing industry in the U.S. and globally. IUU fishing encompasses many illicit activities, including underreporting the number of fish caught and using prohibited fishing gear. While the illicit nature of IUU fishing means its consequences can only be estimated, a recent study estimates catches from IUU fishing could cause global economic losses up to $50 billion annually. A variety of federal agencies coordinate with one another, as well as internationally, to address IUU fishing at sea. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts to combat IUU fishing outside of U.S. waters. This report examines how the U.S. (1) works with other nations to address IUU fishing at sea, (2) identifies potential incidents of IUU fishing at sea, and (3) coordinates its interagency efforts to combat IUU fishing at sea and the extent to which selected efforts are consistent with leading collaboration practices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Homelessness: HUD Should Help Communities Better Leverage Data to Estimate Homelessness, Report to the Chair, Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "HUD's [Department of Housing and Urban Development] PIT [Point-in-Time] count is a key tool for estimating the size of the U.S. homeless population. However, developing an accurate understanding of the extent of homelessness is challenging due to the hidden nature of the population. Further, some members of Congress and others have raised questions about the reliability of HUD's estimates. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the PIT count and alternative methods for estimating the size of homeless populations. This report (1) examines communities' approaches for counting people experiencing homelessness and HUD's guidance for using these approaches, (2) describes approaches used by selected foreign countries to estimate their homeless populations, and (3) describes what is known about funding sources and resources expended by selected communities in conducing the PIT count."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Drug Development: Pathway for Approving Antibacterial and Antifungal Drugs for Patients with Limited Treatment Options is Infrequently Used, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "It is estimated that at least 2.8 million antibacterial and antifungal-resistant infections occur each year in the United States, and more than 35,000 people die as a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The development of new antibacterial and antifungal treatments is one strategy to address the threat of antimicrobial resistance. The 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016, established LPAD [limited population pathway for antibacterial and antifungal drugs] to help facilitate the approval of certain antibacterial and antifungal drugs. FDA [Food and Drug Administration] oversees the approval of such drugs. The 21st Century Cures Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review and report on FDA's LPAD activities. This report describes (1) the extent to which LPAD changes FDA's drug approval process, (2) the extent to which drug developers have sought to use LPAD for drugs under development, and (3) stakeholders' and FDA's views on the effectiveness of LPAD in benefiting the development and approval of antibacterial and antifungal drugs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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VA Community Living Centers: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Oversight of Quality of Care, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] is responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided in its CLCs [community living centers], such as through unannounced inspections that identify deficiencies when CLCs do not meet quality standards. However, recent reports have raised questions about substandard treatment and conditions at certain CLCs, as well as about the transparency of VA data on CLC quality. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine VA data on CLC quality and how the data are used to oversee CLCs. In this report, GAO describes what VA data reveal about quality at the CLCs and assesses VA's oversight of CLCs and how, if at all, it could be strengthened, among other issues."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Vaccine Development: Capabilities and Challenges for Addressing Infectious Diseases, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. This report discusses technologies, approaches, and associated challenges for vaccine (1) research and development, (2) testing, and (3) manufacturing, as well as (4) the economic factors that affect vaccine investment."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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K-12 Education: Students' Experiences with Bullying, Hate Speech, Hate Crimes, and Victimization in Schools, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Hostile behaviors, including bullying, harassment, hate speech and hate crimes, or other types of victimization like sexual assault and rape, in schools can negatively affect K-12 [kindergarten through twelfth grade] students' short- and long-term mental health, education, income, and overall well-being. According to Education's guidance, incidents of harassment or hate, when motivated by race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or disability status can impede access to an equal education. In certain circumstances, these kinds of incidents may violate certain federal civil rights laws, which Education's OCR [Office for Civil Rights] is tasked with enforcing in K-12 schools. GAO was asked to review hostile behaviors in K-12 schools. This report examines (1) the prevalence and nature of hostile behaviors in K-12 public schools; (2) the presence of K-12 school programs and practices to address hostile behaviors; and (3) how Education has addressed complaints related to these issues in school years 2010-11 through 2019-20."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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USDA Market Facilitation Program: Stronger Adherence to Quality Guidelines Would Improve Future Economic Analyses, Report to the Chairwoman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "In 2018, the President, citing national security concerns in one action and unfair foreign trade practices in another, increased tariffs on certain imported products. Affected trade partners retaliated with tariffs targeting U.S. exports. USDA's 2018 MFP [Market Facilitation Programs] and 2019 MFP provided a total of $23 billion to address the effect of foreign trade actions on U.S. agricultural producers. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review USDA's methods for estimating trade damages and providing payments to producers. This report examines (1) the extent to which the methodologies USDA used to estimate trade-related damages for the 2018 MFP and 2019 MFP addressed key elements of an economic analysis, and how those methodologies affected the estimates, and (2) strengths and limitations of the methodologies USDA used to calculate payments for the 2018 MFP and 2019 MFP and how the methodologies affected the payments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Disaster Recovery: Better Data Are Needed to Ensure HUD Block Grant Funds Reach Vulnerable Populations, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Large-scale disasters, such as the 2017 hurricanes, have resulted in catastrophic damage and particularly have challenged vulnerable populations. Since 1993, Congress has provided over $90 billion in supplemental appropriations through HUD's [Department of Housing and Urban Development's] CDBG-DR [ Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery] funds to help affected areas recover. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] was asked to evaluate the delivery of CDBG-DR assistance to vulnerable populations. This report examines (1) HUD's approach to assisting vulnerable populations, (2) grantees' actions to assist vulnerable populations, and (3) challenges grantees and vulnerable populations face in implementing and using CDBGDR. GAO reviewed documentation from HUD and a nongeneralizable sample of six grantees (the four largest 2017 CDBG-DR grantees--Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands--and Louisiana and New Jersey, which are further along in implementation). GAO also interviewed HUD officials, grantees, and organizations representing vulnerable populations. [...] GAO recommends that HUD collect, analyze, and publish demographic data from CDBG-DR grantees on vulnerable populations who apply for and receive assistance. HUD did not agree or disagree with the recommendation but identified potential ways to collect data to assess how vulnerable populations are being served and the associated challenges. GAO continues to believe the recommendation would assist in assessing outcomes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Countering Illicit Finance and Trade: Better Information Sharing and Collaboration Needed to Combat Tradebased Money Laundering, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Criminal organizations and other malign actors exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. financial and trade systems to obscure the source and destination of ill-gotten proceeds and further their illicit activity. TBML [trade-based money laundering] is one of the most challenging forms of money laundering to investigate because of the complexities of trade transactions and the large volume of international trade. U.S. agencies report there has been an increase in TBML activity, in part because criminals are using more sophisticated schemes to avoid detection. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] was asked to provide information on U.S. efforts to combat TBML. This report examines, among other things, (1) vulnerabilities in the U.S. financial and trade systems that are exploited to facilitate TBML, (2) the data U.S. agencies use to detect and combat TBML, and (3) the extent to which U.S. agencies collaborate to share information to combat TBML. GAO reviewed U.S. agency reports, data, and other documentation. GAO also interviewed U.S. agency officials and representatives of private-sector entities, including from the financial, trade, and technology sectors."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-11
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Veterans Health Care: Addressing High Risk Concerns for Oversight and Accountability Are Key to Ensuring Quality of Care and Patient Safety, Statement of Sharon M. Silas, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VA [United States Department of Veterans Affairs] operates one of the nation's largest health care systems. GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s work, along with that of VA's Office of Inspector General and others, has cited longstanding issues with VA's oversight of its health care system. In 2015, GAO added VA health care to its High-Risk List, in which one broad area of concern was inadequate oversight and accountability. In its latest high-risk update in March 2021, GAO noted continued concern over VA's ability to ensure the safety and protection of patients and staff, as well as to oversee its programs. This statement describes the oversight and accountability issues GAO's work has identified related to quality care and patient safety, and the status of VA's efforts to address its high-risk designation. This statement is based on GAO's body of work in this area."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Silas, Sharon M.
2021-10-27
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Disaster Recovery: Efforts to Identify and Address Barriers to Receiving Federal Recovery Assistance, Statement of Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Each year, disasters affect hundreds of American communities and cause billions of dollars of damage. Disaster recovery is a complex process with many factors that affect individual and community outcomes, including in various socioeconomic and demographic groups. Recently, federal actions have focused on equitable administration of federal recovery assistance. This statement is based on preliminary observations from GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s forthcoming report on federal actions to identify and address potential access barriers and disparate outcomes, which is currently at FEMA, HUD [United States Department of Housing and Urban Development], and SBA [United States Small Business Administration] for comment. It also discusses prior GAO work and recommendations issued from 2019 through 2021 related to various federal recovery programs and vulnerable populations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris P.
2021-10-27
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Federal Reserve Lending Programs: Credit Markets Served by the Programs Have Stabilized, but Vulnerabilities Remain, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "On July 30, 2021, the last of the 13 Federal Reserve lending facilities stopped purchasing assets or extending credit. However, some of these facilities, including facilities that were supported through Department of the Treasury funding appropriated under section 4003(b)(4) of the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, continue to hold outstanding assets and loans. The Federal Reserve will continue to monitor and manage the facilities until these assets and loans are no longer outstanding. The CARES Act included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to periodically report on section 4003 loans, loan guarantees, and investments. This report examines the Federal Reserve's continued oversight and monitoring of the CARES Act facilities; what available evidence suggests about the facilities' effects on corporate credit markets, states and municipalities, and small businesses; and the characteristics of Main Street Lending Program participants, among other things. GAO reviewed applicable laws and agency and Federal Reserve Bank documentation; analyzed agency and other data on the facilities and credit markets; interviewed Federal Reserve and Treasury officials and representatives of state and local governments; and conducted a generalizable survey of for-profit Main Street borrowers. [...] The Federal Reserve oversight reviews completed in December 2020 identified opportunities to enhance certain areas, including internal process and controls. These reviews also identified areas for continued monitoring, such as cybersecurity and conflicts of interest. GAO found that Federal Reserve's plans for ongoing monitoring of the facilities align with federal internal control standards for ongoing monitoring of an entity's internal control system."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-10-19
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Information Technology: Cost and Schedule Performance of Selected IRS Investments, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "IRS [Internal Revenue Service] relies extensively on IT [Information Technology] investments to annually collect more than $3.5 trillion in taxes, distribute more than $450 billion in refunds, and carry out its mission of providing service to America's taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations. For fiscal year 2020, the agency reported spending approximately $2.8 billion for these investments. The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2020 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to annually review the status of IRS's IT investments. GAO's specific objectives were to (1) summarize IRS's reported performance for selected IT investments, including CADE [Customer Account Data Engine] 2; (2) identify IRS's reported progress in implementing its 2019 IT modernization plan; and (3) identify the IT-related actions IRS has taken to maximize telework and operate during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, and any impacts of those actions. GAO obtained IRS's reported performance information for a nonprobability sample of five investments, and compared performance to agency targets. GAO also compared modernization activities that IRS reported completing to those identified in the agency's 2019 IT modernization plan. Further, GAO reviewed agency documentation to identify reported IT actions taken to continue to operate during the pandemic and reported associated impacts. GAO also interviewed cognizant IRS officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-10-19
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Technology Assessment: Quantum Computing and Communications, Status and Prospects, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Quantum information technologies could dramatically increase capabilities beyond what is possible with classical technologies. Future quantum computers could have high-value applications in security, cryptography, drug development, and energy. Future quantum communications could allow for secure communications by making information challenging to intercept without the eavesdropper being detected. GAO [Government Accountability Office] conducted a technology assessment on (1) the availability of quantum computing and communications technologies and how they work, (2) potential future applications of such technologies and benefits and drawbacks from their development and use, and (3) factors that could affect technology development and policy options available to help address those factors, enhance benefits, or mitigate drawbacks. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed key reports and scientific literature; interviewed government, industry, academic representatives, and potential end users; and convened a meeting of experts in collaboration with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. GAO is identifying policy options in this report. [...] Quantum information technologies aim to use the properties of nature at atomic scales to accomplish tasks that are not achievable with existing technologies. These technologies rely on 'qubits', the quantum equivalent of classical computer bits. Scientists are creating qubits from particles, such as atoms or particles of light, or objects that mimic them, such as superconducting circuits. [...] However, quantum information cannot be copied, is fragile, and can be irreversibly lost, resulting in errors that are challenging to correct. [...] GAO identified four factors that affect quantum technology development and use: (1) collaboration, (2) workforce size and skill, (3) investment, and (4) the supply chain."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-10-19
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Federal Research: Agency Actions Needed to Address Foreign Influence, Statement of Candice N. Wright, Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Investigations and Oversight and Research and Technology Committee on Science, Space, and Technology House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The federal government reported expending about $44.5 billion on university science and engineering research in fiscal year 2019. Safeguarding the U.S. research enterprise from threats of foreign influence is of critical importance. Recent reports by GAO [Government Accountability Office] and others have noted challenges the research community faces in combatting undue foreign influence while also maintaining an open research environment that fosters collaboration, transparency, and the free exchange of ideas. This testimony discusses, among other things, (1) COI [conflict of interest] policies and disclosure requirements at selected agencies and universities that address potential foreign threats, and (2) mechanisms to monitor and enforce policies and requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Wright, Candice N.
2021-10-05
