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Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure: Actions Needed to Better Manage Assets and Reduce Risks and Costs, Statement of Nathan Anderson, 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 GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "This statement summarizes GAO findings related to the condition of Coast Guard shore infrastructure, actions the Coast Guard has taken to improve its management of its shore infrastructure, and additional actions it needs to take. This statement is based on three GAO products issued from October 2017 through September 2019, along with selected updates on actions the Coast Guard has taken to address GAO's recommendations from these reports. GAO analyzed relevant Coast Guard documents, management processes and decisions, and interviewed Coast Guard officials. To conduct updates, GAO also reviewed information on the Coast Guard's actions to implement its prior recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Anderson, Nathaniel
2019-09-25
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NASA: Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Human Spaceflight Programs, Statement of Cristina T. Chaplain, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "NASA is undertaking a trio of closely related programs to continue human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. These three programs include a launch vehicle, a crew capsule, and the associated ground systems at Kennedy Space Center. All three programs are working towards a launch readiness date of June 2020 for the first mission. NASA then plans for these systems to support future human space exploration goals, which include seeking to land two astronauts on the lunar surface. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has a body of work highlighting concerns over NASA's management and oversight of these programs. This statement discusses (1) the cost and schedule status of NASA's human spaceflight programs and (2) lessons that NASA can apply to improve its management of its human spaceflight programs. This statement is based on eight reports issued from 2014 to 2019 and selected updates as of September 2019."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Chaplain, Cristina T.
2019-09-18
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Tribal Broadband: FCC Should Take Efforts to Promote Tribal Access to Spectrum, Statement of Andrew Von Ah, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Broadband service on tribal lands continues to lag behind the rest of the country, especially on rural tribal lands. Broadband service can be delivered through wireless technologies using radio frequency spectrum. According to FCC [Federal Communications Commission], increasing tribal access to spectrum would help expand broadband service on tribal lands. This statement is based on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] November 2018 report (GAO-19-75) related to spectrum use for broadband services by tribal entities and selected updates. Specifically, it discusses (1) tribal entities' ability to obtain and access spectrum to provide broadband services and the reported barriers that may exist, and (2) the extent to which FCC promotes and supports tribal efforts to obtain and access spectrum."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Von Ah, Andrew
2019-09-18
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Veterans Affairs: Sustained Leadership Attention Needed to Address Long-Standing Workforce Problems, Statement of Robert Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] operates one of the largest health care delivery systems in the nation and provides billions of dollars in benefits and services to veterans and their families. However, VA faces serious and long-standing problems with management challenges and veterans' access to health care and disability benefits. These issues contributed to GAO's [Government Accountability Office] decision to list several areas involving VA on GAO's High-Risk List, including managing acquisitions, managing risk and improving veterans' health care, and improving and modernizing VA's disability programs. This testimony discusses (1) human capital challenges facing VA and its components, (2) GAO recommendations addressing some of those challenges, and (3) how those challenges are related to a broader set of government-wide human capital problems."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goldenkoff, Robert
2019-09-18
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Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Lessons Learned from DHS Testing of Advanced Radiation Detection Portal Monitors, Statement of Gene Aloise, Director Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Committee on Science and Technology, House of Representatives
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is responsible for addressing the threat of nuclear smuggling. Radiation detection portal monitors are key elements in the nation's defenses against such threats. [...] This testimony addresses (1) GAO findings on DNDO's latest round of ASP testing, and (2) lessons from ASP testing that can be applied to other DHS technology investments. These findings are based on GAO's May 2009 report GAO-09-655 and other related reports.
United States. Government Accountability Office
Aloise, Gene
2009-06-25
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Highway Trust Fund: Options for Improving Sustainability and Mechanisms to Manage Solvency, Statement of Phillip R. Herr, Director Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittees on Oversight and Select Revenue Measures, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives
"The Highway Account within the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is the principal means for funding federal highway programs. Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT), it channels about $33 billion in highway user excise taxes annually to states for highway and related spending. […] The Highway Account within the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is the principal means for funding federal highway programs. Administered by the FHWA within the DOT, it channels about $33 billion in highway user excise taxes annually to states for highway and related spending."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Herr, Phillip R.
2009-06-25
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Federal Air Marshall Service: Actions Taken to Fulfill Core Mission and Address Workforce Issues, Statement of Steve Lord, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"This testimony is based on GAO's January 2009 report (GAO-09-273), with selected updates in July 2009. For its 2009 report, GAO analyzed policies and procedures regarding [the Federal Air Marshal Service] FAMS's operational approach and a July 2006 classified assessment of that approach. Also, GAO analyzed employee working group reports and related FAMS's initiatives for addressing workforce-related issues, and interviewed FAMS headquarters officials and 67 air marshals (selected to reflect a range in levels of experience). By deploying armed air marshals onboard selected flights, the FAMS, a component of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), plays a key role in helping to protect approximately 29,000 domestic and international flights operated daily by U.S. air carriers. This testimony discusses (1) FAMS's operational approach or 'concept of operations' for covering flights, (2) an independent evaluation of the operational approach, and (3) FAMS's processes and initiatives for addressing workforce-related issues. Also, this testimony provides a list of possible oversight issues related to FAMS."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Lord, Steve
2009-07-23
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Small Business Administration: Additional Steps Should Be Taken to Address Reforms to the Disaster Loan Program and Improve the Application Process for Future Disasters, Statement of William B. Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony before the Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives
From the opening statement of William B. Shear: "My statement today summarizes our report released at this hearing. This report focuses on the extent to which SBA addressed the requirements of the Act, and how SBA's response, following the major disasters of 2008, aligned with key components of its June 2007 DRP. To do this work, we identified and analyzed the requirements of the Act and related statutory deadlines; obtained information about SBA's completed, current, and planned reform efforts; reviewed documents and progress reports to determine if requirements had been addressed and deadlines were met; interviewed officials and obtained information on what, if any, challenges exist that may affect SBA's ability to implement certain requirements; and interviewed officials to obtain information about next steps and resources that the agency identified as needed to address any remaining requirements. We also conducted site visits in Iowa and Texas, and obtained information on SBA's performance in the aftermath of the 2008 Midwest floods and Hurricane Ike. We interviewed SBA and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) officials, state and local officials, and representatives of local Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, and affected small business owners about what worked well and suggested improvements to SBA's disaster loan processes. Finally, we reviewed results from a survey of SBA loan applicants on their satisfaction with SBA's Disaster Loan Program in 2008. Our work was performed between October 2008 and July 2009 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Shear, William B.
2009-07-29
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District of Columbia Public Schools: Implementation and Sustainability of Reform Efforts Could Benefit From Enhanced Planning, Statement of Cornelia M. Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From Cornelia Ashby's testimony: "I am pleased to be here today to present information on the District of Columbia's (D.C. or the District) progress in reforming its public school system. The District's school system has had long-standing problems with student academic performance, the condition of school facilities, and its overall management. The District's public schools have fallen well behind the District's own targets for demonstrating adequate yearly progress toward meeting the congressionally mandated goal of having 100 percent of students proficient in math, reading, and science by 2014, as outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA). In addition, the U. S. Department of Education (Education) designated the District as a high-risk grantee in April 2006 because of its poor management of federal grants. Of the nearly $762 million the District spends on D. C. public schools (DCPS), 16 percent comes from federal sources. My remarks today are based on our report released at this hearing, entitled District of Columbia Public Schools: Important Steps Taken to Continue Reform Efforts, But Enhanced Planning Could Improve Implementation and Sustainability."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Ashby, Cornelia M.
2009-07-23
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Influenza Pandemic: Gaps in Pandemic Planning and Preparedness Need to Be Addressed, Statement of Bernice Steinhardt, Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"As the current H1N1 outbreak underscores, an influenza pandemic remains a real threat to our nation. Over the past 3 years, GAO conducted a body of work, consisting of 12 reports and 4 testimonies, to help the nation better prepare for a possible pandemic. In February 2009, GAO synthesized the results of most of this work and, in June 2009, GAO issued an additional report on agency accountability for protecting the federal workforce in the event of a pandemic. GAO's work points out that while a number of actions have been taken to plan for a pandemic, including developing a national strategy and implementation plan, many gaps in pandemic planning and preparedness still remain. This statement covers six thematic areas: leadership, authority, and coordination, detecting threats and managing risks, planning, training, and exercising, capacity to respond and recover, information sharing and communication, and performance and accountability. This statement discusses the status of GAO's prior recommendations on the nation's planning and preparedness for a pandemic. Key open recommendations concern the need to exercise the shared federal leadership roles for a pandemic, address planning gaps at all levels of government and in the private sector, and monitor and report on agencies' plans to protect their workers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Steinhardt, Bernice
2009-07-29
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Homeland Defense: Actions Needed to Address Management of Air Sovereignty Alert Operations to Protect U.S. Airspace, Statement of Davi M. D'Agostino, Director Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Readiness, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, April 22, 2009
"Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: I am pleased to be here before you this morning to discuss GAO's recently issued report on the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) and the Department of Defense's (DOD) air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations. According to the National Strategy for Aviation Security, issued in March 2007, and officials from U.S. intelligence agencies with whom we met, air attacks are still a threat to the United States and its people. To address this threat, NORAD and DOD have fully fueled, fully armed aircraft and trained personnel on alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 18 ASA sites across the United States, as shown in appendix I. Of the 18 sites, 16 are maintained by Air National Guard (ANG) units and 2 are maintained by active duty Air Force units. If warranted, NORAD can increase personnel, aircraft, and the number of ASA sites based on changes in threat conditions. [...]. My testimony today, which is based on our January 2009 report on ASA operations, will discuss whether (1) NORAD routinely conducts risk assessments to determine the appropriate operational requirements; (2) the Air Force has implemented ASA operations as a steady-state mission, which would require programming funding and measuring readiness, in accordance with NORAD, DOD, and Air Force guidance; and (3) the Air Force has developed a plan to address the recapitalization challenges to sustaining ASA operations for the future. I will conclude with some observations regarding our recommendations and DOD's response to our recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-04-22
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Export Controls: Fundamental Reexamination of System Is Needed to Help Protect Critical Technologies, Statement of Anne-Marie Lasowski, Director Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
This testimony by Anne-Marie Lasowski titled, "Export Controls: Fundamental Reexamination of System Is Needed to Help Protect Critical Technologies" before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives held on June 4, 2009, "(1) provides an overview of the safety net of government programs and processes aimed at ensuring the effective protection of technologies critical to U.S. national security interests and (2) identifies the weaknesses and challenges in the U.S. export control system--one of the government programs to protect critical technologies. This statement is based on GAO's high-risk report and its extensive body of work on the government's programs designed to protect technologies critical to U.S. national security interests. […]In 2007, GAO designated ensuring the effective protection of technologies critical to U.S. national security interests as a high-risk area. Each year, the Department of Defense spends billions of dollars to develop and produce technologically advanced weaponry. To enhance its foreign policy, security, and economic interests, the U.S. government must approve selling these weapons and defense-related technologies overseas and has a number of programs to identify and protect the critical technologies involved in these sales. These programs include export control systems for weapons and defense-related technologies, the foreign military sales program, and reviews of foreign investments in U.S. companies. Yet, these weapons and technologies continue to be targets for theft, espionage, reverse engineering, and illegal export."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-06-04
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Military and Dual-Use Technology: Covert Testing Shows Continuing Vulnerabilities of Domestic Sales for Illegal Export, Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
This testimony by Gregory D. Kutz titled, "Military and Dual-Use Technology: Covert Testing Shows Continuing Vulnerabilities of Domestic Sales for Illegal Export" before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives held on June 4, 2009, describes the threat posed by individuals that can bypass export requirements on military technology and illegally export restricted items such as night goggles. In the wrong hands, this technology poses a risk to U.S. security, including the threat that it will be reverse engineered or used directly against U.S. soldiers. "Given the threat, the subcommittee asked GAO to conduct undercover tests to attempt to (1) purchase sensitive dual-use and military items from manufacturers and distributors in the United States; and (2) export purchased items without detection by domestic law enforcement officials. To perform this work, GAO used fictitious individuals, a bogus front company, and domestic mailboxes to pose as a buyer for sensitive items. GAO, in coordination with foreign law-enforcement officials, also covertly attempted to export dummy versions of items. GAO interviewed relevant agencies to gain an understanding of which items were in demand by terrorists and foreign governments. GAO actions were not designed to test controls of other countries. Relevant agencies were also briefed on the results of this work."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-06-04
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Natural Hazard Mitigation and Insurance: The United States and Selected Countries Have Similar Natural Hazard Mitigation Policies but Different Insurance Approaches, Statement of Orice M Williams, Director, GAO Financial Markets and Community Investment, Report to Congressional Requesters, United States House of Representatives, December 22, 2008
The focus of this GAO (Government Accountability Office) report is to "(1) identify policies used by other countries to reduce losses caused by natural hazards; (2) examine the extent of international cooperation among selected countries, including the United States, to mitigate natural hazards; and (3) identify approaches that other industrialized countries use to insure natural hazard risk and regulate insurers. The briefing slides that we presented to committee staff on November 4, 2008, on the results of our review are reproduced in enclosure I of this report. [...] Natural hazards adversely affect hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year and cause extensive property damage. In 2007, a year that was not considered an exceptional one for natural hazards, natural hazards caused an estimated 14,600 deaths and $70 billion in property losses. For that year, the insurance industry covered $23.3 billion in losses. In catastrophic loss years, such as 2005--the year that saw Hurricane Katrina--losses can be far greater. Scientific assessments indicate that climate change is expected to alter the frequency and severity of natural hazard events, and as a result, losses can be expected to climb. Given this scenario, examining policies that are used in other countries to reduce the loss of life and property caused by natural hazard events and examining insurance approaches that provide coverage for natural hazard losses can help identify practices in both areas that could benefit the United States. Similarly, given the ongoing challenges facing the United States, international cooperative efforts may provide instructive examples of risk management and disaster reduction."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2008-12-22
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Next Generation Air Transportation System: Issues Associated With Midterm Implementation of Capabilities and Full System Transformation, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
"To prepare for forecasted air traffic growth, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including its Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) and Air Traffic Organization (ATO), is planning for and implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in partnership with other federal agencies and the aviation industry. NextGen will transform the current radar-based air traffic control system into a more automated aircraft-centered, satellite-based system. GAO's previous work has identified issues related to the usefulness of NextGen planning documents, FAA's organizational structure to manage the transition to NextGen, and FAA's workforce to oversee and implement NextGen. Recently, the focus of NextGen planning and implementation has shifted to capabilities that can be achieved in the midterm, defined as 2012 through 2018. GAO's testimony focuses on JPDO's and ATO's progress in planning NextGen and changes in the NextGen management structure, ongoing efforts to implement midterm capabilities to address capacity constraints, and issues related to these efforts, and key human capital issues, research and development needs, and facilities maintenance and reconfiguration challenges going forward. GAO's testimony updates prior GAO work with FAA data and interviews with agency and union officials and industry stakeholders, including airline, aircraft, and avionics manufacturer representatives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dillingham, Gerald Lee, 1947-
2009-03-25
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Next Generation Air Transportation System: Status of Transformation and Issues Associated with Midterm Implementation of Capabilities, Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D. Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
This testimony by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) "focuses on (1) JPDO's and ATO's progress in planning and implementing NextGen, (2) ongoing efforts to implement midterm capabilities to address capacity constraints and delays, (3) the potential impact on NextGen of organizational changes and human capital issues, and (4) research and development and facilities maintenance and reconfiguration challenges going forward. GAO's testimony updates prior GAO work with FAA data and interviews with agency and union officials and industry stakeholders, including airline, aircraft, and avionics manufacturer representatives. [...] To prepare for forecasted air traffic growth, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including its Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) and Air Traffic Organization (ATO), is planning for and implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in partnership with other federal agencies and the aviation industry. NextGen will transform the current radar-based air traffic control system into a more automated, aircraft-centered, satellite-based system. GAO's previous work has identified issues related to the usefulness of NextGen planning documents, FAA's organizational structure to manage the transition to NextGen, and FAA's workforce to oversee and implement NextGen. Recently, the focus of NextGen planning and implementation has shifted to capabilities that can be achieved in the midterm, defined as 2012 through 2018."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dillingham, Gerald Lee, 1947-
2009-03-18
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Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center: Clarifying Rationale for Research and Development Funding Decisions Would Increase Accountability
This briefing addresses "issues pertaining to [the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center] CTAC's use of funds since fiscal year 2003, the [Office of National Drug Control Policy] ONDCP Director's approach to funding decisions for research and development, CTAC's measures of performance, and CTAC's reorganization in 2007." This briefing refers to memorandums of agreement and CTAC interagency agreements that documented how funds were to be allocated during fiscal years 2003 to 2008; comparisons of available information on how the ONDCP Director made research and development funding decisions for fiscal year 2003 through 2008 with criteria in GAO's Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government; and interviews relevant CTAC and ONDCP officials.
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-03-12
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Chemical Regulation: Options for Enhancing The Effectiveness of the Toxic Substances Control Act, Statement of John Stephenson, Director Natural Resources and the Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
"Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976, authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to obtain information on the risks of industrial chemicals and to control those that EPA determines pose an unreasonable risk. However, EPA does not have sufficient chemical assessment information to determine whether it should establish controls to limit public exposure to many chemicals that may pose substantial health risks. In reports on TSCA, GAO has recommended statutory changes to, among other things, provide EPA with additional authorities to obtain health and safety information from the chemical industry and to shift more of the burden to chemical companies for demonstrating the safety of their chemicals. The most important recommendations aimed at providing EPA with the information needed to support its assessments of industrial chemicals have not been implemented--a key factor leading GAO in January 2009 to add transforming EPA's process for assessing and controlling toxic chemicals to its list of high-risk areas warranting attention by Congress and the executive branch. This testimony, which is based on prior GAO work, addresses EPA's implementation of TSCA and options for (1) obtaining information on the risks posed by chemicals to human health and the environment, (2) controlling these risks, and (3) publicly disclosing information provided by chemical companies under TSCA."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Stephenson, John B.
2009-02-26
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High-Containment Laboratories: National Stragety for Oversight is Needed, Statement of Nancy Kingsbury, Ph.D, Managing Director, Applied Research and Methods, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Tuesday, September 22, 2009
This document contains the testimony of Nancy Kingsbury of the U.S. General Accountability Office before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on September 22, 2009 on the topic of the need for a national strategy for oversight at high-containment laboratories in the United States. "We are pleased to be here to discuss our report on a national strategy for high-containment laboratories that deal with dangerous pathogens-also known as biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories and biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) laboratories-in the United States, which was released yesterday. The number of high-containment laboratories working with dangerous biological pathogens have proliferated in recent years. In 2007, we reported on several issues associated with the proliferation of high-containment laboratories in the United States, including risks posed by biosafety incidents that have occurred in the past. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's allegation in August 2008 that a scientist at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases was the sole perpetrator of the 2001 anthrax attacks raised additional concerns about the possibility of insider misuse of high-containment laboratory facilities, material, and technology. The public is concerned about these laboratories because the deliberate or accidental release of biological agents can have disastrous consequences by exposing workers and the public to dangerous pathogens. Highly publicized laboratory errors and controversies about where high-containment laboratories should be located have raised questions about whether the governing framework, oversight, and standards for biosafety and biosecurity measures are adequate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-09-22
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Homeland Security: Federal Protective Service's Use of Contract Guards Requires Reassessment and More Oversight, Statement of Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"To accomplish its mission of protecting about 9,000 federal facilities, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) currently has a budget of about $1 billion, about 1,225 full-time employees, and about 15,000 contract security guards. FPS obligated $659 million for guard services in fiscal year 2009. This testimony is based on our report issued on April 13, 2010, and discusses challenges FPS continues to face in (1) managing its guard contractors and (2) overseeing guards deployed at federal facilities, and (3) the actions FPS has taken to address these challenges. To address these objectives, GAO [Government Accountability Office] conducted site visits at 6 of FPS's 11 regions; interviewed FPS officials, guards, and contractors, and analyzed FPS's contract files. GAO also reviewed new contract guard program guidance issued since our July 2009 report and observed guard inspections and penetration testing done by FPS. In GAO's report related to this testimony, GAO recommended, among other things, that FPS identify other approaches that would be cost-beneficial to protecting federal facilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concurred with seven of GAO's eight recommendations. DHS did not fully concur with GAO's recommendation to issue a standardized record-keeping format to ensure that contract files have required documentation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2010-04-14
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Coast Guard: Observations on the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget and Related Performance and Management Challenges, Statement of Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
"The U.S. Coast Guard, a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), conducts 11 statutory missions that range from marine safety to defense readiness. To enhance mission performance, the Coast Guard is implementing a modernization program to update its command structure, support systems, and business practices, while continuing the Deepwater program--the acquisition program to replace or upgrade its fleet of vessels and aircraft. This testimony discusses the Coast Guard's (1) fiscal year 2010 budget, (2) mission performance in fiscal year 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available; and (3) challenges in managing its modernization and acquisition programs and workforce planning. This testimony is based on GAO products issued in 2009 (including GAO-09-530R and GAO-09-620T) and other GAO products issued over the past 11 years--with selected updates in June 2009--and ongoing GAO work regarding the Coast Guard's newest vessel, the National Security Cutter. Also, GAO analyzed budget and mission-performance documents and interviewed Coast Guard officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-07-07
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Homeland Security: Preliminary Results Show Federal Protective Service's Ability to Protect Federal Facilities is Hampered by Weaknesses in Its Contract Security Guard Program, Statement of Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
"To accomplish its mission of protecting about 9,000 federal facilities, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) currently has a budget of about $1 billion, about 1,200 full time employees, and about 13,000 contract security guards. This testimony discusses GAO's preliminary findings on (1) the extent to which FPS ensures that its guards have the required training and certifications before being deployed to a federal facility, (2) the extent to which FPS ensures that its guards comply with their assigned responsibilities (post orders) once they are deployed at federal facilities, and (3) security vulnerabilities GAO recently identified related to FPS's guard program. To address these objectives, GAO conducted site visits at 6 of FPS's 11 regions, interviewed numerous FPS officials, guards, contractors, and analyzed FPS's policies and data. GAO also conducted covert testing at 10 judgmentally selected level IV facilities in four cities. A level IV facility has over 450 employees and a high volume of public contact."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-07-08
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Secure Border Initiative: Technology Deployment Delays Persist and the Impact of Border Fencing Has Not Been Assessed, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, September 17, 2009
This testimony from GAO Homeland Security Director Richard M. Stana addresses "the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Border Initiative (SBI) program-a multiyear, multibillion dollar program aimed at securing U.S. borders and reducing illegal immigration. Securing the nation's borders from illegal entry of aliens and contraband, including terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, continues to be a major challenge. […] My testimony is based on a report we are publicly releasing today that is the fourth in a series of interim reports on SBI implementation. My testimony will discuss the following key issues in our report: the extent to which CBP has implemented the SBInet technology program and the impact of any delays that have occurred, and the extent to which CBP has deployed the SBI tactical infrastructure program and assessed its results. Our full report also provides a status of SBI program office staffing and the progress the office reports in achieving its human capital goals. I will conclude with some observations regarding our recommendation and DHS's response."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Stana, Richard M.
2009-09-17
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Climate Change Policy: Preliminary Observations on Options for Distributing Emissions Allowances and Revenue under a Cap-and-Trade Program, Statement of John Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
"Congress is considering proposals to establish a price on greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade program that would limit overall emissions and require covered entities to hold tradable emissions permits, or allowances, for their emissions. The purpose of such a program is to raise the cost of activities that produce emissions and thereby provide an economic incentive to decrease emissions. […] Today's testimony provides preliminary results of ongoing work assessing the potential effects of (1) allowance allocation methods, and (2) options for distributing program revenues or the economic value of allowances."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Stephenson, John B.
2009-08-04
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Hurricane Katrina: Barriers to Mental Health Services for Children Persist in Greater New Orleans, Although Federal Grants Are Helping to Address Them, Statement of Cynthia A. Bascetta Director, Health Care, Testimony before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the report: "I am pleased to be here today to discuss the protection of children during disaster recovery and to provide highlights of our July 2009 report entitled Hurricane Katrina: Barriers to Mental Health Services for Children Persist in Greater New Orleans, Although Federal Grants Are Helping to Address Them. The greater New Orleans area has yet to fully recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall on August 29, 2005. One issue of concern in the recovery is the availability of mental health services for children. In our report, we estimated that in 2008 about 187,000 children were living in the greater New Orleans area-which we defined as Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Bascetta, Cynthia A.
2009-08-04
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Homeland Security: Despite Progress, DHS Continues to Be Challenged in Managing Its Multi-Billion Dollar Annual Investment in Large-Scale Information Technology Systems, Statement of Randolph C. Hite, Director, Information Technology Architecture and Systems Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, September 15, 2009
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invested more than $6 billion in 2009 on large-scale, information technology (IT) systems to help it achieve mission outcomes and transform departmentwide operations. For DHS to effectively leverage these systems as mission enablers and transformation tools, it needs to employ a number of institutional acquisition and IT management controls and capabilities, such as using an operational and technological blueprint to guide and constrain system investments (enterprise architecture) and following institutional policies, practices, and structures for acquiring and investing in these systems. Other institutional controls and capabilities include employing rigorous and disciplined system life cycle management processes and having capable acquisition and IT management workforces. As GAO has reported, it is critical for the department to implement these controls and capabilities on each of its system acquisition programs. GAO has issued a series of reports on DHS institutional controls for acquiring and managing IT systems, and its implementation of these controls on large-scale systems. GAO was asked to testify on how far the department has come on both of these fronts, including its implementation of GAO's recommendations. To do this, GAO drew from its issued reports on institutional IT controls and IT systems, as well as our recurring work to follow up on the status of our open recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Hite, Randolph C.
2009-09-15
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Personnel Security Clearances: Progress Has Been Made to Reduce Delays but Further Actions Are Needed to Enhance Quality and Sustain Reform Efforts, Statement of Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"Due to concerns about long standing delays in the security clearance process, Congress mandated reforms in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), which requires, among other things, that the executive branch report annually to Congress. Since 2005, the Department of Defense's (DOD) clearance program has been on GAO's high-risk list due to delays and incomplete documentation. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts much of the government's clearance investigations. In 2007, the Director of National Intelligence and DOD established a Joint Reform Team to coordinate governmentwide improvement efforts for the process. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) oversees these efforts. Based on two recent GAO reports, this statement addresses progress in reducing delays at DOD, opportunities for improving executive branch reports to Congress and the extent to which joint reform efforts reflect key factors for reform. GAO independently analyzed DOD clearances granted in fiscal year 2008, assessed the executive branch's 2006-2009 reports to Congress, and compared three joint reform reports to key transformation practices. GAO previously recommended that OMB improve the transparency in executive branch reporting and establish a strategic framework. OMB concurred or partially concurred with these recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Farrell, Brenda S.
2009-09-15
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Central Intelligence Agency: Observations on GAO Access to Information on CIA Programs and Activities, Statement of Henry L. Hinton, Jr., Managing Director Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Governmental Reform, House of Representatives
"We are pleased to be here to discuss the subject of access by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to information from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Specifically, our statement will provide some background on CIA and its oversight mechanisms, our authority to review CIA programs, and the history and status of GAO access to CIA information. As requested, our remarks will focus on our relationship with the CIA and not with other intelligence agencies. Our comments are based upon our review of historic files, our legal analysis, and our experiences dealing with the CIA over the years. Oversight of the CIA generally comes from two select committees of Congress and the CIA's Inspector General. We have broad authority to evaluate CIA programs. In reality, however, we face both legal and practical limitations on our ability to review these programs. […]. We have not actively audited the CIA since the early 1960s, when we discontinued such work because the CIA was not providing us with sufficient access to information to perform our mission. The issue has arisen since then from time to time as our work has required some level of access to CIA programs and information. […]. In general, we are most successful at getting access to CIA information when we request threat assessments and the CIA does not perceive our audits as oversight of its activities."
United States. General Accounting Office
Hinton, Henry L. (Henry Lee), 1947-
2001-07-18
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Identity Theft: Governments Have Acted to Protect Personally Identifiable Information, but Vulnerabilities Remain, Statement of Daniel Bertoni, Director Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives
The Government Accountability Office "was asked to testify on how the loss of personally identifiable information contributes to identity theft. This testimony summarizes (1) the problem of identity theft; (2) steps taken at the federal, state, and local level to prevent potential identity theft; and (3) vulnerabilities that remain to protecting personally identifiable information, including in federal information systems. For this testimony, GAO relied primarily on information from prior reports and testimonies that address public and private sector use of personally identifiable information, as well as federal, state, and local efforts to protect the security of such information."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Bertoni, Daniel
2009-06-17
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Human Capital: Improved Implementation of Safeguards and an Action Plan to Address Employee Concerns Could Increase Employee Acceptance of the National Security Personnel System, Statement of Brenda S. Farrell, Director Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Readiness, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, April 1, 2009
This Government Accountability Office (GAO) report discusses steps taken by the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement internal safeguards to ensure that National Security Personnel System (NSPS) is fair, effective, and credible. The DOD "is in the process of implementing its new human capital system for managing civilian personnel-the NSPS. Key components of NSPS include compensation, classification, and performance management. Implementation of NSPS could have far-reaching implications, not just for DOD, but for civil service reform across the federal government. As of February 2009, about 205,000 civilian employees were under NSPS. Based on GAO's prior work reviewing performance management in the public sector, GAO developed an initial list of safeguards that NSPS should include to ensure it is fair, effective, and credible. In 2008, Congress directed GAO to evaluate, among other things, the extent DOD implemented accountability mechanisms, including those in 5 U.S.C. section 9902(b)(7) and other internal safeguards in NSPS.
United States. Government Accountability Office
Farrell, Brenda S.
2009-04-01
