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Forensic Technology: Algorithms Strengthen Forensic Analysis, but Several Factors Can Affect Outcomes
From the Highlights: "For more than a century, law enforcement agencies have examined physical evidence to help identify persons of interest, solve cold cases, and find missing or exploited people. Forensic experts are now also using algorithms to help assess evidence collected in a criminal investigation, potentially improving the speed and objectivity of their investigations. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to conduct a technology assessment on the use of forensic algorithms in law enforcement. In a prior report (GAO-20-479SP [hyperlink]), GAO described algorithms used by federal law enforcement agencies and how they work. This report discusses (1) the key performance metrics for assessing latent print, facial recognition, and probabilistic genotyping algorithms; (2) the strengths of these algorithms compared to related forensic methods; (3) challenges affecting their use; and (4) policy options that may help address these challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Veterans Affairs: Systems Modernization, Cybersecurity, and it Management Issues Need to Be Addressed, Statement of Carol C. Harris, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The use of IT [information technology] is crucial to helping VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] effectively serve the nation's veterans. The department annually spends billions of dollars on its information systems and assets. Its fiscal year 2022 budget request is about $4.8 billion for its Office of Information and Technology and $2.7 billion for electronic health record modernization. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify on its prior IT work at VA. Specifically, this testimony summarizes results and recommendations from GAO's issued reports that examined VA's efforts in (1) modernizing VistA [Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture] and its financial and acquisition management systems; (2) addressing cybersecurity issues; and (3) implementing FITARA [Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act]."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Harris, Carol C.
2021-07-01
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COVID-19: The Coast Guard Has Addressed Challenges, but Could Improve Telework Documentation and Personnel Data, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The Coast Guard is a multi-mission maritime military service responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection, among other things. During the pandemic, the Coast Guard has faced challenges in balancing the need to safeguard its personnel with its responsibility to continue missions and operations. In response to a CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act mandate and congressional requests, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed the Coast Guard's efforts to respond to the pandemic. This report examines (1) the Coast Guard's actions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] exposure for its personnel; (2) challenges the Coast Guard faced in operating in a pandemic environment and how it addressed them; and (3) the extent to which the Coast Guard has collected and maintained valid and current telework documentation, as well as accurate and complete COVID19 data on its personnel."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Clean Water Act: EPA Needs to Better Assess and Disclose Quality of Compliance and Enforcement Data, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] partners with states to oversee compliance with and enforcement of the Clean Water Act. In fiscal year 2020, there were roughly 335,000 facilities with active NPDES [National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] permits, which are used to regulate wastewater discharges under the act. In 2015, EPA began requiring states and facilities to electronically report data on their NPDES activities. EPA estimated that in 2018, nearly 11,000 facilities significantly exceeded their permit limits and illegally discharged pollutants into nearby waters, which may pose serious threats to human health and the environment. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review EPA's enforcement of the Clean Water Act. This report examines (1) changes since 2015 in EPA's national initiatives for ensuring compliance with the act, (2) changes in NPDES compliance and enforcement activities since 2015, and (3) the extent to which EPA is measuring progress toward compliance with the NPDES program."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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COVID-19 Housing Protections: Mortgage Forbearance and Other Federal Efforts Have Reduced Default and Foreclosure Risks, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Millions of mortgage borrowers continue to experience financial challenges and potential housing instability during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. To address these concerns, Congress, federal agencies, and the enterprises provided borrowers with options to temporarily suspend their mortgage payments and placed a moratorium on foreclosures. Both provisions begin to expire in the coming months. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to monitor federal efforts related to COVID-19. This report examines (1) the extent to which mortgage forbearance may have contributed to housing stability during the pandemic, (2) federal efforts to promote awareness of forbearance among delinquent borrowers, and (3) federal efforts to limit mortgage default and foreclosure risks after federal mortgage forbearance and foreclosure protections expire."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Conflict Minerals 2020 Company SEC Filings on Mineral Sources Were Similar to Those from Prior Years, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The United States has sought to improve security in the DRC for over 2 decades. However, according to the Department of State and the United Nations, conflict has persisted and contributed to severe human rights abuses and the displacement of people. Armed groups continue to profit from the mining and trade of 'conflict minerals,' according to State. Provisions in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act required, among other things, the SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] to promulgate disclosure and reporting regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals from the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and adjoining countries. In 2012, the SEC adopted a conflict minerals disclosure rule requiring companies to file specialized disclosure reports beginning in 2014 and annually thereafter. The act also included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess, among other things, the SEC regulations' effectiveness in promoting peace and security in the DRC and adjoining countries. This report examines how companies responded to the SEC conflict minerals disclosure rule when filing in 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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State and Local Governments: Fiscal Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected States, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and related policies had a rapid and severe effect on the U.S. economy, including state and local governments. To limit social contact and slow the spread of the pandemic, nearly all states implemented policies that limited certain economic activities. Relief laws, including the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, provided appropriations to state and local governments to address the public health and economic threats posed by the pandemic. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on COVID-19 pandemic oversight efforts. This report examines (1) changes in revenues and expenditures for the state and local government sector since the onset of the pandemic, (2) changes in revenues and expenditures for selected states, (3) actions selected states took to address changes in revenues and expenditures, and (4) factors that affected the selected states' capacity to implement federal programs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Tactical Wheeled Vehicles: Army Should Routinely Update Strategy and Improve Communication with Industry, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Due to an increase in near-peer competition from Russia and China, the Army recently changed its operational focus. With this change in focus, the Army is currently studying ways to modernize its TWV [tactical wheeled vehicles] fleet. This modernization relies, in part, on a viable industrial base with multiple companies that can compete to deliver the capabilities needed by the warfighter at an affordable price. The House and Senate Armed Services Committee reports accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 included provisions for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess the Army's new TWV strategy and implementation efforts. This report assesses, among other things, the Army's progress in identifying specific capabilities and requirements for its 2022 TWV Strategy and the extent to which opportunities exist for expanding the TWV industrial base."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Microenterprise and Related Development Assistance: Challenges in Evaluating Lasting Benefits for Women and the Poor, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "From 2015 through 2018, USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] reported that it planned to spend about $1.14 billion on microfinance assistance around the world. This assistance is intended to promote development of MSMEs [micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises], which some development experts have identified as needed to help the advancement of the poor. In January 2019, Congress passed and the President signed the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 (WEEE Act) to provide more assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises and to continue assistance for microenterprises. The act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to provide information on microenterprise and related assistance, especially to women and the very poor. GAO reported on aspects of USAID's implementation of this assistance in GAO-21-269. This report examines (1) what USAID evaluations of its assistance projects for MSMEs have shown about their effects on women and the very poor; and (2) what is known from research studies and experts outside USAID about the effects of this assistance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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COVID-19: VA Should Assess Its Oversight of Infection Prevention and Control in Community Living Centers, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Close to 8,000 veterans per day received nursing home care provided by VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] in CLCs [Community Living Centers] in fiscal year 2020. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] has posed significant risks to nursing home residents and staff, as residents are often in frail health, and residents and staff have close daily contact with each other. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision that GAO monitor the federal response to the pandemic. This report describes, among other objectives, guidance and training VA has issued to help CLCs respond to the pandemic and examines VA's oversight of infection prevention and control in CLCs during the pandemic. GAO analyzed documents, including guidance, training-related materials, and CLC self-assessments of their infection prevention and control practices. GAO also interviewed VA officials and CLC staff, the latter from five facilities selected based on factors such as having been cited for infection prevention and control deficiencies prior to the pandemic."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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COVID-19 Contracting: Contractor Paid Leave Reimbursements Could Provide Lessons Learned for Future Emergency Responses, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "In March 2020, Congress passed the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, which provides over $2 trillion in emergency assistance for those affected by COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Section 3610 of the CARES Act enables agencies, at their discretion, to reimburse contractors for paid leave provided to their employees and subcontractors who are unable to access work sites due to facility closures or other restrictions, and whose duties cannot be performed remotely during the pandemic. The CARES Act also includes a provision for GAO to review federal contracting pursuant to authorities provided in the Act. In September 2020, GAO found that agencies had not made much use of section 3610 authority as of July 2020, and expectations of future use varied. This report (1) examines how selected federal agencies have used section 3610 authority and (2) presents selected contractors' perspectives on COVID-19 paid leave reimbursement. GAO reviewed guidance and data and interviewed cognizant officials from four agencies with contract obligations greater than $10 billion in fiscal year 2019."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Federal Land Management: Key Differences and Stakeholder Views of the Federal Systems Used to Manage Hardrock Mining, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Hardrock minerals, such as gold and copper, are crucial resources for modern technology. However, mining by its nature can create lasting health hazards and environmental contamination. The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service are responsible for managing hardrock mining on the federal lands they manage. Federal management of hardrock mining has been a source of ongoing debate, in part because the agencies use two different systems, depending on where the resources occur: [1] the location system under the General Mining Act of 1872 to manage hardrock mining on public domain lands (those usually never in state or private ownership), and [2] the leasing system first adopted in the 1940s to manage hardrock mining on acquired lands (those granted or sold to the United States by a state or citizen). GAO was asked to review hardrock mining on federal lands. This report describes, among other things, stakeholder views on the systems and areas for improvement."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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2020 Census: Office Managers' Perspectives on Recent Operations Would Strengthen Planning for 2030, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The execution of the 2020 Census was largely a local endeavor, carried out by hundreds of thousands of short-term workers reporting to temporary census offices around the country. How this workforce is managed can affect the cost and quality of the census. This report examines how the Bureau managed its field data collection operations at the local level for the 2020 Census, and how area census office managers' (ACOM) perspectives can inform planning. GAO performed the work under the authority of the Comptroller General to evaluate the 2020 Census to assist Congress with its oversight responsibilities. GAO surveyed the Bureau's 248 ACOMs six times during the 2020 Census, reviewed Bureau documents related to management and operations, and interviewed Bureau officials. The number of questions asked varied across waves of the survey, and the wording of some questions changed. Concurrent with this report, GAO is issuing online supplemental material that presents regional and national aggregations of survey responses."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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U.S.-China Trade: USTR Should Fully Document Internal Procedures for Making Tariff Exclusion and Extension Decisions, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "In July 2018, USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] placed tariffs on certain products from China in response to an investigation that found certain trade acts, policies, and practices of China were unreasonable or discriminatory, and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. As of December 2020, the U.S. imposed tariffs on roughly $460 billion worth of Chinese imports under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. Because these tariffs could harm U.S. workers and manufacturers that rely on these imports, USTR developed a process to exclude some products from these additional tariffs. U.S. businesses and members of Congress have raised questions about the transparency and fairness of USTR's administration of this process. GAO was asked to review USTR's tariff exclusion program. This report (1) examines the processes USTR used to review Section 301 tariff exclusion requests and extensions and (2) describes how USTR evaluated those tariff exclusion requests and extensions, and the outcomes of its decisions. GAO analyzed USTR's public and internal documents relating to the exclusion and extension processes, including 16 randomly selected nongeneralizable case files, and data from USTR and the U.S. Census Bureau. GAO also interviewed agency officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Child Welfare: Pandemic Posed Challenges, but Also Created Opportunities for Agencies to Enhance Future Operations, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about the welfare of children and disruptions to child welfare services. This work was conducted as part of GAO's [Government Accountability Office's] COVID-19 monitoring and oversight responsibilities under the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act. It examines (1) challenges child welfare agencies reported as a result of the pandemic; (2) actions these agencies reported taking to respond to challenges, including using the additional funds and other supports provided by HHS; and (3) practices agencies reported they may continue based on what they learned during the pandemic. GAO interviewed and gathered information from officials at HHS [Health and Human Services]; five state and 10 local child welfare agencies in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas, selected for factors such as high numbers of children in foster care and confirmed COVID-19 cases; and eight national organizations with child welfare expertise. GAO also reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and HHS guidance; analyzed reports states submitted to HHS in July 2020 about their plans for using CARES Act funds; and conducted a survey between December 2020 and February 2021 of child welfare administrators in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (referred to as states)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Air Cargo Security: TSA Field Testing Should Ensure Screening Systems Meet Detection Standards, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "According to DHS--which is responsible for ensuring the security of air cargo transported to the United States--the threat from explosives in air cargo remains significant. The TSA Modernization Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DHS's processes for securing U.S.-bound air cargo and efforts to use CT [computed tomography] technology for air cargo screening. This report addresses, among other things, how DHS secures inbound air cargo, and the extent to which TSA's field assessment of a CT screening system included key practices for design and evaluation. GAO reviewed TSA and CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] air cargo security procedures and documents and analyzed a random sample of air cargo shipment data from calendar year 2019. GAO also interviewed TSA and CBP headquarters and National Targeting Center officials, and interviewed TSA field and air carrier officials regarding operations with two foreign airports, selected based on TSA risk data and the amount of air cargo transported from these airports to the United States. This is a public version of a sensitive report that GAO issued in May 2021. Information that DHS deemed sensitive was omitted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Communication with Applicants and Address Fraud Risks, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Between March 2020 and February 2021, SBA [Small Business Administration] provided about 3.8 million low-interest EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loan] loans and 5.8 million grants (called advances) totaling $224 billion to help small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Borrowers can use these low-interest loans and advances to pay for operating and other expenses. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO to monitor funds provided for the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines, among other objectives, the characteristics of program applicants and recipients; the challenges EIDL applicants experienced and the extent to which SBA has addressed them; and the steps SBA has taken to address risks of fraud and provision of funds to ineligible applicants. GAO reviewed documents from SBA, an EIDL contractor, and two of its subcontractors. In addition, GAO analyzed loan application data, conducted five discussion groups with applicants, and interviewed staff from SBA, six Small Business Development Centers, and six business associations. GAO also analyzed socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic data on EIDL program participants."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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National Flood Insurance Program: Congress Should Consider Updating the Mandatory Purchase Requirement, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Flood insurance plays a key role in helping homeowners reduce the financial effects of floods, reduces the need for federal disaster assistance, and lowers costs for American taxpayers. NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] makes federally backed flood insurance available to property owners in qualifying communities. The mandatory purchase requirement requires property owners in NFIP communities to purchase flood insurance if, among other things, they have mortgages from federally regulated lenders. GAO was asked to review the implementation of the mandatory purchase requirement. This report (1) describes federal entities' oversight of the requirement, (2) examines the extent to which FEMA uses information about compliance with the requirement, and (3) examines the use of FEMA floodplain maps to determine who must purchase flood insurance. GAO reviewed documentation from federal entities, analyzed data on lender violations of the requirement, and interviewed officials and other stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Aviation Services: Information on Airports Exercising Their Right as the Sole Provider of Fuel, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], through federal airport grants, helps fund airports' capital development and is responsible for overseeing airports' compliance with federal requirements incorporated in airport grant agreements. Under these agreements, airports are generally not allowed to grant exclusive rights to any person or entity to provide aeronautical services--such as fuel--on airport grounds. FAA has determined, however, that airports themselves can opt to be the exclusive provider of such services by exercising their proprietary exclusive right. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine airports that have exercised their proprietary exclusive right. This report addresses what is known about the number and characteristics of airports that are currently exercising their proprietary exclusive right to provide fuel and the factors airports consider when deciding whether to exercise this right to provide fuel. GAO reviewed relevant federal statutes, FAA policies and guidance, airport documents and websites, and conducted a web survey of all 3,010 public use airports in the contiguous United States. GAO interviewed officials at a non-generalizable sample of 26 airports that self-identified as exercising their proprietary exclusive right and at 10 airports that are not exercising their proprietary exclusive right, selected based on a mix of characteristics, including the amount of fuel sales. GAO also interviewed FAA compliance staff at headquarters and regional offices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Evidence-Based Policymaking: Survey Data Identify Opportunities to Strengthen Capacity Across Federal Agencies, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The Evidence Act created a framework for enhancing the federal government's capacity to build and use evidence in decision-making. The Evidence Act includes provisions for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review its implementation. This report (1) describes federal managers' reported availability and use of evidence in decision-making activities, and (2) assesses federal managers' reported views on their agencies' capacity for evidence-building activities. To conduct its work, GAO analyzed results from a survey it administered from July to December 2020 to a stratified random sample of about 4,000 managers at 24 major federal agencies. The survey had a 56 percent response rate. Results can be generalized to the population of managers government-wide and at each agency. GAO also reviewed documents from OMB [Office of Management and Budget], OPM [Office of Personnel Management], and relevant interagency councils, and interviewed federal officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Countering Violent Extremism: DHS Can Further Enhance Its Strategic Planning and Data Governance Efforts, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Data collected through the Extremist Crime Database show that there were 81 fatal violent extremist attacks in the United States from 2010 through 2020, resulting in 240 deaths. Since 2010, DHS has developed strategic initiatives that address targeted violence and terrorism prevention, which include efforts to counter violent extremism, among other things. GAO was asked to review DHS's longer-term efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence. This report examines the extent to which (1) DHS's 2019 strategy to address targeted violence and terrorism prevention includes key elements of a comprehensive strategy, and (2) DHS has developed a data governance framework to help implement its strategy. GAO reviewed DHS documentation and compared DHS's strategy to identified elements of a comprehensive strategy, and compared DHS's efforts to develop a data governance framework to federal requirements for implementing data governance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Immigration Enforcement: Actions Needed to Better Track Cases Involving U.S. Citizenship Investigations, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "In recent years, some U.S. citizens have claimed that they were mistakenly detained or removed by ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and held by CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] on administrative immigration charges. Such charges are based on civil violations of U.S. immigration law, but these charges are not applicable to U.S. citizens. GAO was asked to review issues related to U.S. citizens detained by ICE or held by CBP on administrative immigration charges. This report examines (1) the extent to which ICE and CBP have developed and implemented policies and procedures for investigating the potential U.S. citizenship of individuals its officers and agents encounter; (2) ICE and CBP data on U.S. citizens detained by ICE or held by CBP on administrative immigration charges; and (3) the extent to which ICE has developed and implemented policies and procedures for investigating the potential U.S. citizenship of individuals its officers identify for detainers. GAO analyzed DHS documents and record-level enforcement data, and interviewed DHS officials at headquarters and in the field."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security -- Availability of Appropriations for Migrant Protection Protocol Hearing Facilities
From the Document: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established facilities along the southwest border so that individuals enrolled in the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) could participate in the video teleconference removal proceedings conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). DHS used its FY 2019 operations and support appropriation for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to establish the facilities even though DOJ had appropriations for EOIR facilities. Because DHS established these facilities to achieve the objectives of MPP, DHS's appropriation was available for this purpose. [...] At issue here is whether DHS may use its FY 2019 ICE operations and support appropriation to establish facilities where enrollees in MPP may participate in EOIR's video teleconference hearings."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Armstrong, Thomas H
2021-07-01
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Economic Development: Opportunities Exist for Further Collaboration Among EDA, HUD, and USDA, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "States spend billions of dollars annually in business incentives to attract and retain individual businesses or industries. EDA [Economic Development Administration], HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development], and USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] administer programs that support states' economic development goals and encourage strategic planning. In previous reports, we have identified concerns related to fragmentation in these agencies' efforts to collaborate on economic development programs with each other. GAO was asked to review issues related to these state and federal economic development efforts. This report examines the use of federal economic development programs to support state business incentives and how selected federal agencies collaborate on these programs, among other issues. GAO reviewed information on federal economic development programs and business incentives in four states (selected because the states offer incentives of $50 million or more and vary geographically). GAO interviewed federal and state agency officials and policy organizations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Pipeline Safety: Information on Keystone Accidents and DOT Oversight, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Since it began operating in 2010, Keystone has transported over 3 billion barrels of crude oil from Canada to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas, according to its operator, TC [TransCanada] Energy. Prior to construction, TC Energy requested and obtained a special permit from PHMSA [Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration] to operate certain portions of the pipeline at a higher stress level than is allowed under PHMSA's regulations. Since TC Energy was the first and remains the only hazardous liquid pipeline operator to request a waiver of this particular regulation, the Keystone special permit is unique. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review PHMSA's oversight of the Keystone Pipeline. This report discusses: (1) PHMSA's actions to approve the Keystone special permit and allow the pipeline to operate at a higher stress level, (2) how Keystone accidents compare to accidents on all U.S. crude oil pipelines since 2010, and (3) PHMSA's actions in response to Keystone safety issues."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-07
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Hardrock Mining Management: Selected Countries, U.S. States, and Tribes Have Different Governance Structures but Primarily Use Leasing, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Hardrock minerals such as gold, silver, and copper play a significant role in U.S. and global economies--in 2018, hardrock minerals extracted worldwide were valued at about $981 billion. However, extracting these minerals creates the potential for public health, safety, and environmental hazards. Different approaches exist to manage these hazards and hardrock mining. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] recently reported on the number and characteristics of mining operations on federal lands in GAO-20-461R [hyperlink] and was also asked to review the methods different governments use to manage mining. This report describes the governance structures and approaches used to manage mining on (1) selected mineral-producing countries' land, (2) state-owned land in selected U.S. states, and (3) tribal lands subject to federal laws and regulations. GAO reviewed laws, regulations, government documents, legal guides, and nongovernmental and industry reports. GAO also interviewed nongovernmental and mining association representatives and officials from selected states and countries. GAO selected countries that were top mineral producers, perceived by researchers to have good mining governance, and were attractive to mining investors. GAO selected states in the western region of the U.S. that produced the highest value of hardrock minerals compared with other U.S. regions. GAO examined federal laws and regulations that generally govern mining on tribal land and interviewed one tribe on mining approaches used."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06-30
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Amateur Athlete Safety: Certification Related to the Independence of the U.S. Center for SafeSport for Fiscal Year 2020
From the Document: "The U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center), established in March 2017, is an independent nonprofit organization that plays a key role in ensuring the safety of amateur athletes, many of whom are minors, who participate in Olympic, Paralympic, Pan-American, and Parapan American events and training. The Center has jurisdiction over the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (the Corporation) and national governing bodies (amateur sports organizations recognized or certified by the Corporation for a sport included in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan-American, or Parapan American Games), with regard to safeguarding amateur athletes against abuse in sports. The Center is required to develop training, oversight practices, policies, and procedures to prevent abuse of amateur athletes, among other activities. Also, the Center investigates and resolves allegations of sexual misconduct by coaches, trainers, managers, peers, and others in violation of the Center's policies and procedures. In addition, the Center may, at its discretion, investigate and resolve allegations of other policy violations, including non-sexual child abuse and emotional and physical misconduct."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06-29
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Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Transportation [June 25, 2021]
From the Document: "The purpose of this letter is to provide an update on the overall status of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) implementation of GAO's [Government Accountability Office] recommendations and to call your personal attention to areas where open recommendations should be given high priority. In November 2020, we reported that on a government-wide basis, 77 percent of our recommendations made 4 years ago were implemented. DOT's recommendation implementation rate was 77 percent. As of April 2021, DOT had 178 open recommendations. Fully implementing these open recommendations could significantly improve agency operations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06-25
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Health Care Funding: Planned Parenthood Federation of America Affiliates' Expenditures of Federal Funds, 2016 Through 2018
From the Document: "In order to achieve their programmatic goals, federal agencies provide funding to various organizations that, in turn, use those funds to implement programs and activities aligned with those goals. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award funding through grants or cooperative agreements to organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) affiliates, who expend those funds to provide health-related services to patients. You asked us to provide information on federal funding to various organizations, including those that offer voluntary family planning and activities related to the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. The organizations included various domestic organizations such as PPFA affiliates, which operate more than 600 centers across the country, providing sexual and reproductive health-related services, programs related to sexuality education, and advocacy. We issued a report in December 2020 that detailed this funding. This report provides supplemental information to our December 2020 report. Specifically, it describes certain PPFA affiliates' reported expenditures of federal funds from grants and cooperative agreements during fiscal years 2016 through 2018."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06-22
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Management Report: Preliminary Information on Potential Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Receipt of Unemployment Insurance Benefits During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Document: "The unemployment insurance (UI) system provides a vital safety net for individuals who become unemployed through no fault of their own, and this support is essential during widespread economic downturns. States design and administer their own UI programs within federal parameters, and the Department of Labor (DOL) oversees states' compliance with federal requirements, such as by ensuring states pay benefits when they are due. During the pandemic, the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act supplemented the regular UI program by creating three federally funded temporary UI programs that expanded benefit eligibility and enhanced benefits. These three programs--Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)--are set to expire on September 6, 2021. [...] The purpose of this report is to inform DOL about potential racial and ethnic disparities in the receipt of UI benefits, which we have identified in our preliminary data analysis for our ongoing work. According to DOL, ensuring equitable access to UI benefits is a top priority for the agency, and in March 2021, Congress appropriated $2 billion to DOL to promote equitable access to UI benefits, among other purposes. [...] [W]e are sharing this preliminary information for DOL to consider in determining whether it needs to engage with states at this point to ensure equitable access to the UI system."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-06-17
