Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is GAO Reports & Testimony
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Defense Management: More Progress Needed for DOD to Meet Outstanding Statutory Requirements to Improve Collaboration, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DOD has had longstanding organizational and management challenges that hinder collaboration. Section 911 of the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] for Fiscal Year 2017 directed the Secretary of Defense to, among other things, issue an organizational strategy that identifies critical objectives that span multiple functional boundaries, establish cross-functional teams to support this strategy, and provide related guidance and training. The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2017 also included a provision for GAO periodically to assess DOD's actions in response to section 911. GAO has issued a series of reports since June 2017 and made a number of recommendations to DOD. This report assesses the extent to which DOD has made progress in (1) implementing the requirements of section 911 and (2) establishing cross-functional teams. GAO reviewed documentation, interviewed cross-functional team members and other DOD officials, and compared DOD's actions to section 911 requirements and leading practices for cross-functional teams."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
VA Real Property: VHA Should Improve Activation Cost Estimates and Oversight, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "VHA [Veterans Health Administration] operates one of the nation's largest health care systems with more than 1,200 sites across the country; however, many facilities were built decades ago and do not align with the agency's current emphasis on outpatient and specialized care. Additionally, new or expanded facilities are needed to accommodate veterans returning from recent conflicts. VHA is constructing and leasing new facilities to respond to these needs. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review VHA's efforts to activate new major medical facilities. This report examines the extent to which VHA is able to compare the actual costs of activation against the estimated costs, among other objectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
National Maritime Strategy: DOT is Taking Steps to Obtain Interagency Input and Finalize Strategy, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DOT's [Department of Transportation] efforts related to a national maritime strategy aimed at helping to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the U.S.-flag fleet were first mandated in statute in 2014. In 2018, the due date for the national maritime strategy was extended to February 2020. A provision in statute directed GAO to identify the challenges facing the U.S. maritime industry and the status of the national maritime strategy. This report (1) identifies selected stakeholders' views on the key national defense implications of the challenges facing the U.S. maritime industry, among other things, and (2) examines the status of the national maritime strategy and the extent to which DOT coordinated the strategy's development with relevant federal agencies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Defense Acquisitions: Senior Leaders Should Emphasize Key Practices to Improve Weapon System Reliability, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOD invests tens of billions of dollars each year in major defense acquisition programs, designing and developing technologically advanced weapon systems that warfighters expect will meet specific performance requirements, including reliability requirements. Systems that are not reliable make it more difficult for warfighters to perform their missions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine DOD weapon system reliability. This report addresses (1) how selected companies in the commercial sector address reliability, (2) how selected DOD acquisition programs addressed reliability, and (3) the extent to which DOD leadership has highlighted key reliability practices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Unmanned Aircraft Systems: FAA Could Better Leverage Test Site Program to Advance Drone Integration, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "UAS [unmanned aerial vehicle] could provide significant economic and social benefits, for example by delivering packages or aiding in search and rescue missions. FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] is conducting a phased approach to incrementally integrate UAS safely into the national airspace. As directed by statute, FAA established UAS test sites to allow industry to assess the safety and feasibility of complex UAS operations, such as flying beyond an operator's line of sight. FAA has stated that this program provides research results and other data needed to reach full integration. GAO was asked to review FAA's management of the test sites. This report examines, among other things: (1) the research conducted at FAA's designated UAS test sites, and (2) how FAA is leveraging and sharing information from the test site program to advance integration. GAO reviewed relevant statutes and regulations, reports, and FAA guidance; analyzed test sites' efforts, including flight test data submitted to FAA from 2015 through 2018; and interviewed FAA officials, test site representatives from all 7 test sites, and 18 test site users, selected to include a range of perspectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
National Nuclear Security Administration: Additional Verification Checks Could Improve the Accuracy and Consistency of Reported Financial Data, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] has long faced challenges in determining and comparing the costs of its programs, which are principally performed by M&O [management and operating] contractors across eight sites. Congress needs this information to provide effective oversight and make budgetary decisions. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 required NNSA to implement a common financial reporting system, to the extent practicable, across all sites by December 2020. NNSA's efforts began in 2016 and are ongoing. The Senate report accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to periodically review NNSA's implementation of common financial reporting. This is GAO's second report on this issue. This report examines (1) the steps NNSA has taken to implement common financial reporting since GAO's January 2019 report, and (2) the extent to which NNSA's approach to data collection aligns with the purpose of common financial reporting, including collecting accurate and consistent data from its M&O contractors."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Technology Readiness Assessment Guide: Best Practices for Evaluating the Readiness of Technology for Use in Acquisition Programs and Projects (January 2020)
From the Introduction: "Technology readiness assessments (TRA)--evaluations that determine a technology's maturity--have been used widely at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) since the 1990s. This approach has also been embraced by other government agencies, as well as industry in aerospace, maritime, oil and gas, electronics, and heavy equipment that use TRAs to help manage their acquisitions. Relatively few agencies have guides for assessing a technology's maturity and its readiness for integration into larger acquisition programs, and the federal government has not adopted a generally accepted approach for evaluating technology beyond using technology readiness level (TRL) measures. This TRA Guide is intended to help fill those gaps. The Guide has two objectives: (1) to describe generally accepted best practices for conducting high-quality TRAs of technology developed for systems or acquisition programs, and (2) to provide technology developers, program managers, and governance bodies with useful information to more effectively mature critical technologies, determine a technology's readiness, and manage and address risk."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Public Transportation: Enhanced Federal Information Sharing on Coordination Could Improve Rural Transit Services, Report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "Public transportation in rural areas is critical to connecting people to medical services, jobs, education, and shopping. FTA [Federal Transit Administration] allocated about $2.1 billion in formula grants over the last 3 years to support rural and tribal transit. In 2014, GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] reported that providing transit services in rural areas can be challenging and that coordination of transportation services among federal programs is limited. GAO was asked to examine ongoing efforts and challenges of coordinating rural transit systems. This report addresses (1) factors affecting rural transit coordination and selected rural and tribal transit providers' coordination efforts and (2) the extent to which FTA facilitates coordination of rural transit services. GAO reviewed program documentation and literature on rural transit coordination. GAO also interviewed federal officials from FTA and the Department of Health and Human Services, which also funds transportation services, and rural transit stakeholders, including state transportation agencies, rural and tribal transit providers, and public transit industry groups. GAO selected states and rural and tribal transit providers based on federal-funding levels and geographic representation, among other factors."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Aviation Consumer Protection: Few U.S. Aircraft Have Lavatories Designed to Accommodate Passengers with Reduced Mobility, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Flying can pose significant challenges for persons who rely on wheelchairs, including the lack of wheelchair accessible lavatories on most flights. In 1990, DOT [Department of Transportation] required wheelchair accessible lavatories on twin-aisle aircraft used mainly for long flights. It did not require them for single-aisle aircraft, although DOT continued to study the issue. Since 1990, technological advances have enabled single-aisle aircraft to fly longer distances, and these aircraft now make 99 percent of domestic flights. In 2016, a DOT advisory committee recommended that DOT require accessible lavatories in certain single-aisle aircraft in the future. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] examine the availability and designs of lavatories on commercial aircraft and the ability of passengers with disabilities to access them. This report describes (1) what is known about lavatory designs and accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and (2) the challenges wheelchair-bound passengers and others face while traveling on single-aisle aircraft without accessible or functional lavatories."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Hanford Cleanup: DOE Should Take Actions to Improve Inspections and Oversight of Contaminated Excess Facilities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "DOE's [Department of Energy's] Hanford site in Washington State contains thousands of contaminated excess facilities and waste sites that remain to be cleaned up. In May 2017, a partial roof collapse at a waste storage tunnel facility for one of the former plutonium nuclear processing plants raised questions about the S&M [surveillance and maintenance] of Hanford's excess facilities and how RL [Richland Operations Office] prioritizes cleanup of these facilities. GAO was asked to review DOE's cleanup of Hanford's contaminated excess facilities, including how DOE ensures that the Hanford Site contractor inspects and maintains facilities. This report examines, among other things, (1) DOE's actions to evaluate the causes of the PUREX [Plutonium Uranium Extraction] tunnel collapse, and (2) the extent to which DOE ensures that S&M of Hanford's contaminate excess facilities meet DOE requirements. GAO reviewed DOE documents, administered a questionnaire to collect S&M information about 18 selected facilities representing the majority of the Hanford facilities cleanup effort, conducted in-depth reviews of selected Hanford facilities, and interviewed DOE and Hanford cleanup contractor officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Water Infrastructure: Technical Assistance and Climate Resilience Planning Could Help Utilities Prepare for Potential Climate Change Impacts, Report to the Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Human health and well-being require clean and safe water, according to the Water Research Foundation. The Fourth National Climate Assessment states that the potential impacts of extreme weather events from climate change will vary in severity and type and can have a negative effect on drinking water and wastewater utilities. [...] In 2015, GAO reported that enhancing climate resilience means taking action to reduce potential future losses by planning and preparing for climate-related impacts, such as extreme rainfall. This report examines federal technical and financial assistance to utilities for enhancing climate resilience, and options experts identified for providing additional assistance, among other things. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance from four federal agencies--EPA, FEMA, HUD [Department of Housing and
Urban Development], and USDA--and interviewed federal officials, representatives from 15 water utilities selected for diversity of size and geography, and 10 experts selected to represent different views."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
State Department: Additional Steps Are Needed to Identify Potential Barriers to Diversity, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "State [Department of State] has expressed a commitment to maintaining a workforce that reflects the diverse composition of the United States and has undertaken efforts to increase representation of diverse groups in its Civil and Foreign Services. EEOC [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] requires some federal agencies, including State, to systematically identify, examine, and remove barriers to equal participation at all levels of their workforce and to report on such barriers annually. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review issues related to the diversity of State's workforce. This report examines (1) the demographic composition of State's workforce in fiscal years 2002 through 2018; (2) any differences in promotion outcomes for various demographic groups in State's workforce; and (3) the extent to which State has identified barriers to diversity in its workforce."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Private Pensions: IRS and DOL Should Strengthen Oversight of Executive Retirement Plans, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Some types of employers offer executive retirement plans to help select employees save for retirement. There are no statutory limits on the amount of compensation that executives can defer or benefits they can receive under these plans. However, employees in these plans do not receive the full statutory protections afforded to most other private sector employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as those related to vesting and fiduciary responsibility, among other things. These plans can provide advantages but they also have disadvantages because plan benefits are subject to financial risk, such as in a company bankruptcy. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review these plans. This report examines, among other objectives, (1) the prevalence, key advantages, and revenue effects of executive retirement plans and (2) how federal oversight protects benefits and prevents ineligible participation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Individual Retirement Accounts: IRS Could Better Inform Taxpayers About and Detect Noncompliance Related to Unconventional Assets, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Unconventional IRA [individual retirement accounts] investments--such as real estate, certain precious metals, private equity, and virtual currency--can introduce risks to account owners who assume greater responsibility for navigating the complex rules that govern tax-favored retirement savings. IRS [Internal Revenue Service] enforces tax rules relating to IRAs and can assess additional taxes. GAO was asked to examine the challenges associated with enforcing rules governing IRAs invested in unconventional assets. This report examines (1) the extent to which IRS offers guidance to help taxpayers understand the rules governing unconventional IRA assets; and (2) the challenges IRS faces in enforcing those rules. GAO identified and analyzed IRS information to help taxpayers understand four compliance areas. GAO reviewed IRS analysis of nonmarket IRA assets reported by IRA custodians, and IRS audit procedures and training materials; and interviewed relevant IRS officials to identify enforcement challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Identity Theft: IRS Needs to Better Assess the Risks of Refund Fraud on Business-Related Returns, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Business IDT [business identity theft refund fraud] is an evolving threat to both taxpayers and IRS [Internal Revenue Service] and if not addressed can result in large financial losses to the government. The risk of business IDT has increased due to the availability of personally identifiable information and general ease of obtaining business-related information online. This makes it more difficult for IRS to distinguish legitimate taxpayers from fraudsters. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review IRS's efforts to combat business IDT. This report (1) describes IRS's current efforts to detect business IDT, (2) evaluates IRS's efforts to prevent business IDT against selected fraud risk management leading practices, and (3) assesses IRS's efforts to resolve business IDT cases."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Environmental Protection: Additional Action Needed to Improve EPA Data on Informal Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Activities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Enforcing environmental laws and regulations, including those governing water, air, and hazardous waste, is a central part of EPA's mission. In partnership with states, EPA oversees compliance with these requirements for about 800,000 regulated entities, such as refineries and sewage treatment plants. OECA [Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance] carries out much of EPA's compliance and enforcement responsibilities through the agency's 10 regional offices. OECA has a range of compliance assistance, compliance monitoring, and enforcement tools available to elicit compliance with laws and regulations from regulated entities. These tools include conducting on-site inspection, training staff and providing technical assistance, developing cases, and issuing warning letters. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review EPA's enforcement efforts. This report examines, among other objectives, the types of information EPA collects on its compliance assistance, compliance monitoring, and enforcement actions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Climate Change: Potential Economic Costs and Opportunities to Reduce Federal Fiscal Exposure, Statement of J. Alfredo Gómez, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Environment, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Since 2005, federal funding for disaster assistance is at least $450 billion, including approximately $19.1 billion in supplemental appropriations signed into law on June 6, 2019. In 2018 alone, there were 14 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events across the United States, with a total cost of at least $91 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The U.S. Global Change Research Program projects that disaster costs will likely increase as certain extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to climate change. The costs of recent weather disasters have illustrated the need for planning for climate change risks and investing in resilience. Resilience is the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events, according to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Investing in resilience can reduce the need for far more costly steps in the decades to come."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-19
-
International Mail: Progress Made in Using Electronic Data to Detect Illegal Opioid Shipments, but Additional Steps Remain
From the Document: "According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids. Since illegal opioids can arrive through international mail shipments, Congress has called upon the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Department of State (State) to collaboratively improve the nation's ability to detect and interdict such shipments. The Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2018 (STOP Act of 2018) requires USPS to transmit to CBP certain percentages of the advance electronic data (AED) on international mail shipments it receives. USPS collects these data from foreign postal operators. [...] This report examines: (1) the extent to which USPS has transmitted required AED for international mail shipments to CBP for use in targeting mail for inspection; (2) any steps USPS and CBP have taken to assess or improve the quality of AED that USPS transmits to CBP; (3) what is known about the costs and benefits of using AED for targeting purposes; and (4) the extent to which USPS has presented targeted international mail to CBP for inspection."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-18
-
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Information on Evaluations of Benefits and Costs for Water Resources Development Projects and OMB's Review
From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is one of the world's largest public-engineering, design, and construction-management agencies. Through its Civil Works program, the Corps plans, designs, constructs, operates, and maintains water resources development projects to address its three primary program missions: (1) restoration, protection, and management of aquatic ecosystems; (2) support of commercial navigation; and (3) flood risk management. [...] This report describes the Corps' and OMB's [Office of Management and Budget] process for (1) identifying and evaluating the benefits, costs, and effects of proposed water resources development projects, and (2) considering the navigation benefits for noncommercial harbors used by state maritime academies for military-training purposes, if any."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-18
-
U.S. Postal Service: Offering Nonpostal Services Through Its Delivery Network Would Likely Present Benefits and Limitations, Report to Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate [Edited]
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "USPS [United States Postal Service] manages a vast 'last mile' delivery network of mail carriers and delivery vehicles that move mail from a delivery unit (such as a post office) to its destination. This network is critical to help USPS accomplish its mission of providing postal services throughout the country. However, USPS faces major financial challenges because costs are growing faster than revenues. Given the ubiquity of this network, some have suggested that USPS provide new nonpostal services (i.e., services not directly related to mail delivery) to generate revenue and enhance value to customers and communities. USPS is currently prohibited from providing many nonpostal services. GAO was asked to review costs of and opportunities for USPS's last mile network. This report examines: (1) the costs associated with the last mile network and changes since 2008, and (2) the potential benefits and limitations of new nonpostal services, among other topics. GAO analyzed USPS data to estimate key last mile and operating costs for fiscal years 2008 through 2018; reviewed relevant documents and reports from USPS and others; and interviewed USPS officials, postal union representatives, foreign postal operators that have experience with nonpostal services, industry stakeholders, and officials from various federal agencies to obtain their views on the relevant nonpostal services' benefits and limitations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-18
-
Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status Update on Treasury's Two Active Investment Programs
From the Document: "Treasury created the Office of Financial Stability (OFS) to manage TARP [Troubled Asset Relief Program] activities and programs, which have included a variety of bank investment, credit market, housing, and other programs focused on stabilizing the U.S. financial system, restarting economic growth, and preventing avoidable foreclosures. Under OFS, TARP has injected capital into key financial institutions, implemented programs to address problems in the securitization markets, provided assistance to the automobile industry, and offered incentives for modifying residential mortgages. EESA [Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008], as amended, includes a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] report at least annually on TARP activities and performance. Since then, we have been monitoring, analyzing, and providing updates on TARP programs in response to this provision. This report provides an update on the status of Treasury's investment and participation in the remaining TARP investment programs, as of September 30, 2019."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-16
-
Climate Resilience: A Strategic Investment Approach for High-Priority Projects Could Help Target Federal Resources, Statement of Mark Gaffigan, Managing Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, House of Representatives
From the Statement of Mark Gaffigan: "Since 2005, federal funding for disaster assistance has totaled at least $450 billion, including a 2019 supplemental appropriation of $19.1 billion for recent disasters. In 2018 alone, 14 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events occurred across the United States, with total costs of at least $91 billion, including the loss of public and private property, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Disaster costs likely will increase as certain extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to climate change, according to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, a global change research coordinating body that spans 13 federal agencies. [...] My statement today focuses on (1) the extent to which the federal government has a strategic approach for investing in climate resilience projects; (2) key steps that provide an opportunity to strategically prioritize projects for investment; and (3) the strengths and limitations of options for focusing federal funding on these projects. My statement is based on the findings of our October 2019 report on climate resilience."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gaffigan, Mark
2019-12-11
-
Information Technology: Agencies and OMB Need to Continue Implementing Recommendations on Acquisitions, Operations, and Cybersecurity, Statement of Carol C. Harris, Director Information Technology Acquisition Management Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The federal government plans to spend over $90 billion in fiscal year 2019 on IT [information technology]. Even so, IT investments have too often failed or contributed little to mission-related outcomes. Further, increasingly sophisticated threats and frequent cyber incidents underscore the need for effective information security. To focus attention on these concerns, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has included both the management of IT acquisitions and operations and cybersecurity on its high-risk list. For this statement, GAO summarized its key related reports and assessed agencies' progress in implementing the reports' recommendations. Specifically, GAO reviewed the implementation of recommendations on (1) CIO [Chief Information Officer] responsibilities, (2) IT acquisition review requirements, (3) data center consolidation, (4) the management of software licenses, and (5) cybersecurity."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Harris, Carol C.
2019-12-11
-
Drug Safety: Preliminary Findings Indicate Persistent Challenges with FDA Foreign Inspections, Statement of Mary Denigan-Macauley Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "More than 60 percent of establishments manufacturing drugs for the U.S. market were located overseas in fiscal year 2018. FDA has estimated that about 40 percent of finished drugs and 80 percent of active drug ingredients are manufactured overseas. FDA is responsible for overseeing the safety and effectiveness of all drugs marketed in the United States, regardless of where they are produced and conducts inspections of both foreign and domestic drug manufacturing establishments. GAO has had long-standing concerns about FDA's ability to oversee the increasingly global supply chain, an issue highlighted in GAO's High Risk Series for the last 10 years. GAO recommended in 2008 (GAO-08-970) that FDA increase the number of inspections of foreign drug establishments. GAO found in 2010 (GAO-10-961) and 2016 (GAO-17-143) that FDA was conducting more of these foreign drug inspections, but GAO also reported that FDA may have never inspected many establishments manufacturing drugs for the U.S. market."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Denigan-Macauley, Mary
2019-12-10
-
Financial Services Regulations: Status of GAO Recommendations to Enhance Regulatory Analyses and Interagency Coordination
From the Document: "The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) provided for federal agencies to issue hundreds of regulations to implement the act's requirements. The act responded to the 2007-2009 financial crisis that disrupted the U.S. financial system and threatened the solvency of some large financial institutions and the health of the U.S. economy. Section 1573(a) of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, amended the Dodd-Frank Act and required us to conduct an annual study of financial services regulations. We have previously issued eight reports under this mandate and have made a total of 37 recommendations to seven of the financial regulators, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), the Office of Financial Research (OFR), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This report describes the status of these recommendations, including information about recommendations that have not yet been fully implemented."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-10
-
Countering Illicit Finance and Trade: U.S. Efforts to Combat Trade-Based Money Laundering
From the Introduction: "[1] Trade-based money laundering (TBML) is the process of moving the value of proceeds of crime through trade transactions to attempt to disguise its origins and integrate it into the formal economy. [2] The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental body that sets internationally recognized standards for developing regimes to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism. FATF identifies TBML as one of the primary means that criminal organizations use to launder illicit proceeds. [3] According to FATF and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), TBML is one of the most challenging forms of money laundering to investigate because of the complexities of trade transactions and the sheer volume of international trade. [4] In addition to TBML, criminal organizations can also be involved in other trade-facilitated criminal activity, such as customs fraud, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and tax evasion."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-10
-
Science and Technology: Overview of GAO's Enhanced Capabilities to Provide Oversight, Insight, and Foresight, Statement of Dr. Timothy M. Persons, Chief Scientist and Managing Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, Testimony Before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Rapid developments in S&T [science and technology] are transforming multiple sectors of society, including medicine, transportation, communication, defense, and even culture. Like all technological change, each of these developments brings opportunities and potential unintended consequences. The ability of Congress to understand and evaluate such changes will be critical for the United States to remain safe, innovative, and globally competitive. [...] This statement discusses (1) GAO's [Government Accountability Office] S&T products and services for Congress; (2) how GAO is structured to provide S&T advice to the Congress; and (3) GAO's plan to continuously improve its S&T advising capabilities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Persons, Timothy M.
2019-12-05
-
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act: Forest Service Has Not Taken Steps to Ensure Compliance with Limitation on Land Acquisition
From the Document: "The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a U.S. Treasury fund used by four federal land management agencies for several purposes, including conserving natural resources and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities on federal, state, and private lands. These agencies--the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service in the Department of the Interior--use LWCF funding to support a variety of activities, such as land acquisition, building recreational facilities, and conserving wildlife habitat. The LWCF Act of 1965, as amended, authorizes the LWCF to accrue a minimum of $900 million annually, and nearly all of its funding comes from royalties and other fees that companies pay on oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. [...] This report (1) describes the location of the lands the Forest Service acquired with LWCF funds in fiscal years 2014 through 2018, and (2) examines the steps, if any, the Forest Service has taken to ensure compliance with the 100th meridian provision of the LWCF Act."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12-05
-
Navy Maintenance: Persistent and Substantial Ship and Submarine Maintenance Delays Hinder Efforts to Rebuild Readiness, Statement of Diana C. Maurer, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Seapower and Readiness and Management Support, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The 2018 National Defense Strategy emphasizes that restoring and retaining readiness is critical to success in the emerging security environment. The Navy is working to rebuild its readiness while also growing and modernizing its aging fleet of ships. A critical component of rebuilding Navy readiness is implementing sustainable operational schedules, which hinge on completing maintenance on time. We have reported that the Navy faces persistent challenges with completing required maintenance on time. This statement provides information on (1) the magnitude of maintenance delays for Navy ships and submarines, (2) factors contributing to maintenance delays, and (3) the Navy's efforts to address these factors. GAO also discusses its prior recommendations on the factors contributing to Navy maintenance delays and the Navy's progress in addressing the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Maurer, Diana
2019-12-04
-
Military Housing Privatization: Preliminary Observations on DOD's Oversight of the Condition of Privatized Military Housing, Statement of Elizabeth A. Field, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony Before the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Today, private partners are responsible for the ownership, construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair of about 99 percent of housing units on military bases in the continental United States. DOD's policy requires that the department ensure eligible personnel and their families have access to affordable, quality housing facilities. The Office of the Secretary of Defense is responsible for providing guidance and general procedures related to military housing privatization. The military departments are responsible for executing and managing privatized housing projects. [...] Drawing from ongoing work, GAO discusses (1) DOD's oversight of privatized military housing for servicemembers and their families, (2) efforts of the military departments to communicate their roles and responsibilities to servicemembers and their families, and (3) DOD and private partner development and implementation of initiatives to improve privatized housing. GAO reviewed relevant policies, guidance, and legal documents; visited 10 installations; conducted 15 focus groups; analyzed maintenance work order data; and interviewed relevant DOD and private partner officials. GAO will continue its ongoing work and make recommendations as appropriate in the final report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Field, Elizabeth A.
2019-12-03
