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Critical Infrastructure Protection: Agencies Need to Assess Adoption of Cybersecurity Guidance, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The nation's 16 critical infrastructure sectors provide essential services such as banking, electricity, and gas and oil distribution. However, increasing cyber threats--like the May 2021 ransomware cyberattack on an American oil pipeline system that led to regional gas shortages--represent a significant national security challenge. To better protect against cyber threats, NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] facilitated, as required by federal law, the development of a voluntary framework of cybersecurity standards and procedures for sectors to use. The 'Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014' included provisions for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review aspects of the framework. GAO's report addresses the extent to which SRMAs [sector risk management agencies] have (1) determined framework adoption by entities within their respective sectors and (2) identified improvements resulting from sector-wide use."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Capitol Attack: The Capitol Police Need Clearer Emergency Procedures and a Comprehensive Security Risk Assessment Process, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "On January 6, 2021, thousands of demonstrators surrounded the U.S. Capitol Building. Demonstrators attacked and injured law enforcement officers and eventually breached the building. The Capitol Police is responsible for protecting the Congress, its Members, staff, visitors, and facilities. The Capitol Police Board oversees the Capitol Police. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the Capitol Police's physical security efforts for January 6. This report addresses the Capitol Police and the Board's: (1) physical security planning for January 6; (2) response to that day's events, including the procedures for obtaining outside assistance; and (3) process for assessing and mitigating physical security risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Indian Health Service: Relief Funding and Agency Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "IHS [Indian Health Service] provides care to about 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), directly through federally operated IHS facilities (including 24 hospitals) or indirectly through facilities operated by tribal or urban Indian organizations. Regional oversight is provided through 12 area offices. As the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic progressed, tribal lands became hotspots for rapid spread, with infection rates in some areas, such as the Navajo Nation, among the highest in the country. With higher prevalence of certain diseases, such as diabetes and heart conditions, AI/ANs may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. At the same time, outdated facilities and equipment, high provider vacancy rates, and few inpatient beds could make an effective response by IHS potentially more challenging. The CARES Act [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act] includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on the federal response to the pandemic. This report describes, among other things, COVID-19 relief funding for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health facilities; and steps IHS took to address challenges that IHS hospitals faced in responding to the pandemic. GAO surveyed all 24 federally run IHS hospitals; reviewed IHS documents; interviewed officials from three IHS area offices selected for variation in geography, incidence of COVID-19, and other factors; and met with national stakeholder organizations. GAO provided a draft of this report to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including IHS. HHS provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Older Workers: Opioid Misuse and Employment Outcomes, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Opioid misuse has been a persistent problem in the U.S. In 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. The Department of Labor (DOL) awarded grants to help address this crisis. While some research sheds light on the relationship between opioid misuse and workforce participation among workers of all ages, questions remain about the employment experiences of older workers affected by opioid misuse, as well as the experiences of workers during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to explore recent trends among older adults and opioid misuse. This report examines (1) how individual characteristics and employment experiences differ between older workers who do and do not misuse opioids and (2) challenges that selected local workforce agencies identified in helping workers--including older workers--affected by opioid misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Defense Infrastructure: DOD Should Better Manage Risks Posed by Deferred Facility Maintenance, Report to the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOD manages facilities worldwide with an estimated aggregate plant replacement value of about $1.3 trillion. Sustaining these facilities involves maintenance and repair to keep them in good working order. Deferring maintenance can lead to deterioration, potentially affecting DOD's ability to support missions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DOD facility sustainment. This report examines the extent to which (1) DOD's cost factors for estimating its facility sustainment funding requirements are comparable to those of other federal agencies and fully account for DOD's sustainment costs; (2) DOD's facility sustainment funding aligns with its funding goals; and (3) DOD has a deferred maintenance backlog and a process for managing any such backlog. GAO reviewed documentation and interviewed officials about DOD's process for estimating facility sustainment funding requirements and managing deferred maintenance; analyzed funding and deferred maintenance data for FY2017 through FY2020; and contacted a non-generalizable sample of 12 DOD installations from six DOD components to discuss facility sustainment."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-31
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Personnel Mobility Program: Improved Guidance Could Help Federal Agencies Address Skills Gaps and Maximize Other Benefits, Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Federal agencies need skilled personnel to address the complex social, economic, and security challenges facing the United States. The mobility program, established under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, can help agencies address their mission critical skills gaps with temporary assignments. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review OPM's [Office of Personnel Management's] oversight over the personnel mobility program. This report examines, among other things, the frequency with which selected agencies used the mobility program from fiscal years 2016 - 2020; selected agencies' management of the program's costs; and OPM's tracking of agencies' use of the program. GAO selected four agencies for review. These agencies were selected as potential frequent users of the program based on a literature review and interviews with agency officials. For the selected agencies, GAO (1) reviewed a selection of 53 program agreements; (2) reviewed policies, procedures, and guidance documents; (3) analyzed mobility program data in OPM's database; and (4) interviewed officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-27
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KC-46 Tanker: Air Force Needs to Mature Critical Technologies in New Aerial Refueling System Design, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The KC-46 tanker is among the Air Force's highest acquisition priorities as it is intended to replace one-third of the aging aerial refueling tanker fleet. Aerial refueling--the transfer of fuel from airborne tankers to combat and airlift forces while in flight--is critical to the U.S. military's ability to operate globally. GAO [Government Accountability Office] received a request to review the KC-46 program. In addition, a House Report included a provision for GAO to review the Department of Defense's (DOD) use of contracted aerial refueling services. This report reviews the KC-46 program and assesses: (1) the Air Force and Boeing's steps to address critical deficiencies; (2) the Air Force's plans to conduct a technology readiness assessment and maturation plan for critical technologies; and (3) DOD's actions to address potential aerial refueling gaps, including the use of contracted refueling services. GAO assessed documentation and interviewed officials from the KC-46 program office, Air Force, DOD, and Boeing, among others."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-27
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COVID-19: Significant Improvements Are Needed for Overseeing Relief Funds and Leading Responses to Public Health Emergencies, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "At the beginning of January 2022, the U.S. had about 56 million reported cases of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and over 830,000 reported deaths, according to CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. The country also experiences lingering economic repercussions related to the pandemic, including rising inflation and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Six relief laws, including the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, have been enacted to address the public health and economic threats posed by COVID-19. As of November 30, 2021 (the most recent date for which data were available), the federal government had obligated a total of $4 trillion and expended $3.5 trillion, 88 and 77 percent, respectively, of the total COVID-19 relief funds provided by these six laws. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report, GAO's ninth, examines the federal government's continued efforts to respond to, and recover from, the COVID-19 pandemic. GAO reviewed federal data and documents. GAO also interviewed federal and state officials and other stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-27
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Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing: Commerce Has No Plans to Implement the Program
From the Document: "Manufacturing plays a key role in the U.S. economy as a source of economic growth, high-paying jobs, and technological innovation. In 2020, U.S. manufacturing accounted for $2.3 trillion in economic activity, or 10.8 percent of the gross domestic product, and employed approximately 12.2 million workers, or about 9.4 percent of the U.S. workforce. In addition, manufacturing and the development of innovative products and processes are important drivers for U.S. competitiveness in the global economy. The United States is one of the 10 largest countries in terms of manufacturing output, but its manufacturing sector's growth has slowed. Furthermore, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the nation's reliance on foreign sources for critical manufactured goods and the need for a more resilient domestic manufacturing base. To invest in innovative manufactured goods and processes, improve U.S. competitiveness, and help address the capital needs of U.S. manufacturers, the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010 directed the Secretary of the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to establish the Federal Loan Guarantees for Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing (ITM) program. [...] The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 directed GAO [Government Accountability Office] to conduct a biennial review of the execution of the ITM program and submit a report to Congress. We have issued four reports pursuant to this provision. This fifth report addresses Commerce's efforts to implement the ITM program since our January 2020 report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-27
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Pipeline Safety: Manufacturing Defects in Pipeline Components Rarely Contribute to Accidents
From the Document: "The U.S. pipeline network includes almost 350,000 miles of interstate gas and hazardous liquid transmission pipelines that operate at high pressures and transport products across the country. The integrity of individual components used in constructing these pipelines is critical to the safe and efficient operation of the network. These components include fittings to accommodate changes in terrain or direction of the pipe; flanges to connect pipe and other equipment together; and valves to help control the flow and pressure of product in the pipe. While pipelines are among the safest modes to transport energy products and other hazardous materials, failure of the components due to issues such as incorrect installation, corrosion, or manufacturing defects could cause significant damage to life, property, and the environment. Within the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees the safety of the pipeline network. As part of this oversight, PHMSA sets the federal minimum safety standards for pipelines and pipeline facilities, including requirements and specifications relating to the design and manufacture of pipeline components. The minimum safety standards apply to owners and operators of pipeline facilities rather than the manufacturers of pipeline components."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-26
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Federal Prisons Monitoring Efforts to Implement COVID-19 Recommendations and Examining First Step Act Implementation, Statement of Gretta L. Goodwin, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "BOP [Bureau of Prisons] is responsible not only for the supervision and custody of more than 157,000 federal inmates, but also for their health care, safety, and rehabilitation. The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has strained BOP's institutions, yet BOP's obligation to provide inmates with programs to advance their education and development remains. Further, BOP has ongoing challenges with leadership instability and staff shortages. In response, GAO [Government Accountability Office] raised federal prison management as an emerging issue on its High-Risk List. This statement discusses (1) three recommendations GAO made in July 2021 to enhance BOP's COVID-19 response and efforts to date to address them, and (2) GAO's ongoing review of DOJ's [Department of Justice] and BOP's implementation of FSA [First Step Act] requirements related to inmate assessments and programming. GAO updated information on BOP's activities in response to GAO recommendations, reviewed FSA requirements, and conducted preliminary research to design its audit work."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goodwin, Gretta L.
2022-01-21
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Information Technology: Biannual Scorecards Have Evolved and Served as Effective Oversight Tools, Statement of Carol C. Harris, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The federal government annually spends more than $100 billion on IT [Information Technology] and cyber-related investments; however, many of these investments have failed or performed poorly and have often suffered from ineffective management. To improve the management of IT, Congress and the President enacted FITARA [Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act] in December 2014. The law better enables Congress to monitor covered agencies' progress in managing IT and hold them accountable. FITARA applies to the 24 agencies subject to the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, although not all FITARA provisions apply to the Department of Defense. In November 2015, this Subcommittee began issuing biannual scorecards as an oversight tool to monitor agencies' progress toward implementing FITARA and subsequently, other IT-related issues. The scorecards rely on publicly available data to track and assign federal agencies letter grades (i.e., A, B, C, D, or F). As of January 2022, thirteen scorecards had been released. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify on the evolution and effectiveness of the biannual scorecards. For this testimony, GAO relied primarily on previously issued products."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Harris, Carol C.
2022-01-20
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FEMA Workforce: Long-Standing and New Challenges Could Affect Mission Success, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and Oversight, Management, and Accountability, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "FEMA has long been tasked with the difficult job of leading the federal response to natural disasters. The increasing frequency of disasters and the additional responsibilities of responding to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and other events have stretched the FEMA workforce in unprecedented ways. This testimony discusses GAO's [U.S. Government Accountability Office's] prior work on various FEMA workforce challenges. This statement is based on products GAO issued from July 2015 to August 2021. For those products, GAO reviewed and analyzed federal law, federal data, and agency documentation and interviewed federal, state, and local officials as well as representatives of stakeholder groups impacted by disasters. GAO also conducted some of these interviews as part of visits to locations affected by hurricanes in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, GAO conducted 17 focus groups with FEMA staff. [...] GAO has made numerous recommendations in prior reports designed to address the workforce challenges discussed in this testimony. FEMA has taken steps to address these recommendations and GAO is monitoring FEMA's ongoing efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris P.
2022-01-20
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Triángulo Norte de Centroamérica: La Suspensión y Reprogramación de Fondos de los Estados Unidos en 2019 Afectó Adversamente los Proyectos de Asistencia
From the Webpage Highlights: "A partir de marzo de 2019, la administración del entonces presidente Trump suspendió la mayor parte de los nuevos fondos de asistencia exterior de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development], por sus siglas en inglés) y del Departamento de Estado (State, por su nombre en inglés) a El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras (el 'Triángulo Norte' de Centroamérica)--por hasta 14 meses y reprogramó aproximadamente US$396 millones (85 por ciento) de los fondos del año fiscal 2018 hacia otros países. En junio de 2020, la administración puso fin a la suspensión de los fondos de asistencia. Al concluir la suspensión, la USAID ajustó su cartera de asistencia para implementar proyectos centrados en disuadir la migración y diseñó nuevos indicadores para evaluar la relación entre sus proyectos de asistencia y la migración de la región. Funcionarios de State y de la USAID indicaron que su enfoque general--promover la prosperidad, la buena gobernanza y la seguridad--seguía siendo el mismo tras la suspensión. Aunque algunos proyectos que habían recibido fondos anteriormente siguieron su curso previsto, la suspensión y reprogramación de los fondos de asistencia en 2019 afectó adversamente a 92 de los 114 proyectos de la USAID y a 65 de los 168 proyectos de State. Según informaron esas agencias, las consecuencias adversas que habitualmente se registraron en la ejecución de los proyectos fueron demoras en los plazos previstos y la disminución de la frecuencia, la calidad o los tipos de servicios prestados a los beneficiarios."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-20
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Disaster Recovery: Better Data Are Needed to Ensure Equitable Delivery of HUD Block Grant Funds to Vulnerable Populations, Statement of Daniel Garcia-Diaz, Managing Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Large-scale disasters, such as the 2017 hurricanes, have resulted in catastrophic damage, and vulnerable populations can face particular challenges in recovering from a disaster. Since 1993, Congress has provided over $90 billion in supplemental appropriations through CDBG-DR [Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery] to help affected areas recover. This testimony discusses (1) HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development]'s approach to assisting vulnerable populations, (2) grantees' actions to assist vulnerable populations, and (3) challenges grantees and vulnerable populations face in implementing and using CDBG-DR."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Garcia-Diaz, Daniel
2022-01-19
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Tráfico de armas de fuego: Se necesita más información para fundamentar las iniciativas de los Estados Unidos en Centroamérica
"La Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Justicia recibe solicitudes de rastreo de armas de fuego de los gobiernos de Belice, El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras para algunas, pero no todas, las armas de fuego declaradas recuperadas en esos países. Los datos de la ATF sobre el rastreo de aproximadamente 27.000 armas de fuego declaradas recuperadas entre 2015 y 2019--los datos más recientes disponibles--muestran que el 40 por ciento provino de los Estados Unidos y el resto de otros 39 países. Los datos de la ATF también indican que casi la mitad de las armas de fuego de origen estadounidense probablemente se desviaron del comercio legítimo en los cuatro países en lugar de considerarse contrabando proveniente de los Estados Unidos. Desde enero de 2015 hasta marzo de 2021, se exportaron legalmente más de 100.000 armas de fuego de los Estados Unidos a los cuatro países, según datos de las agencias. En estos países no se fabrican armas de fuego, pero funcionarios estadounidenses y extranjeros afirmaron que los delincuentes pueden obtenerlas a través de mercados ilegales y robo, entre otros medios. Los datos de la ATF muestran que la mayoría de las armas de fuego sometidas a rastreo eran pistolas."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-19
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Cybersecurity: Preliminary Results Show That Agencies' Implementation of FISMA Requirements Was Inconsistent, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Federal systems are highly complex and dynamic, technologically diverse, and often geographically dispersed. Without proper safeguards, computer systems are increasingly vulnerable to attack. As such, since 1997, GAO has designated information security as a government-wide high-risk area. FISMA [Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014] was enacted to provide federal agencies with a comprehensive framework for ensuring the effectiveness of information security controls. FISMA requires federal agencies to develop, document, and implement an information security program to protect the information and systems that support the operations and assets. It also includes a provision for GAO to periodically report on agencies' implementation of the act. This testimony discusses GAO's preliminary results from its draft report in which the objectives were to (1) describe the reported effectiveness of federal agencies' implementation of cybersecurity policies and practices and (2) evaluate the extent to which relevant officials at federal agencies consider FISMA to be effective at improving the security of agency information systems. To do so, GAO reviewed the 23 civilian CFO Act [Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990] agencies' FISMA reports, agency-reported performance data, past GAO reports, and OMB [United States Office of Management and Budget] documentation and guidance. GAO also interviewed agency officials from the 24 CFO Act agencies (i.e., the 23 civilian CFO Act agencies and the Department of Defense)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Franks, Jennifer R.
2022-01-11
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Firearms Trafficking: More Information is Needed to Inform U.S. Efforts in Central America, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The four Central American countries Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have high rates of violence, including homicide. According to foreign crime data and foreign officials, most homicides in the countries are committed with firearms imported legally or illegally from other countries. Violence and insecurity in the countries have been identified as contributing factors in migration to the U.S. GAO was asked to report on U.S. efforts to counter firearms trafficking to Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This report examines (1) U.S. agencies' knowledge about firearms trafficking to criminals in these countries, (2) U.S. agencies' efforts to disrupt firearms trafficking in these countries, and (3) U.S. planning to address firearms trafficking in these countries. GAO reviewed firearms tracing and other agency data, related analysis, and program information for fiscal years 2014 through 2020. GAO also interviewed U.S. and foreign officials. [...] GAO recommends that State obtain information about conditions in the four countries to support the development of effective programs to reduce the availability of illicit firearms. State concurred."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01-11
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Pipeline Safety: Operators of Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Gathering Lines Face Data Collection Challenges, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "PHMSA [Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration], within the Department of Transportation, has historically not regulated most gathering lines. However, factors such as increased extraction of natural gas and oil have increased the potential safety risks of these pipelines. To understand these risks better, PHMSA has taken steps in recent years to collect data, such as pipeline size and material type, from all gathering line operators. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review data collection by gathering line operators. This report addresses (1) stakeholder views on challenges operators may face in collecting gathering line data; and (2) steps PHMSA is taking to make operators aware of recently amended data reporting requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Cybersecurity: Federal Response to Solarwinds and Microsoft Exchange Incidents, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The risks to information technology systems supporting the federal government and the nation's critical infrastructure are increasing, including escalating and emerging threats from around the globe, the emergence of new and more destructive attacks, and insider threats from witting or unwitting employees. Information security has been on GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s High Risk List since 1997. Recent incidents highlight the significant cyber threats facing the nation and the range of consequences that these attacks pose. [...] GAO performed its work under the authority of the Comptroller General to conduct an examination of these cybersecurity incidents in light of widespread congressional interest in this area. Specifically, GAO's objectives were to (1) summarize the SolarWinds and Microsoft Exchange cybersecurity incidents, (2) determine the steps federal agencies have taken to coordinate and respond to the incidents, and (3) identify lessons federal agencies have learned from the incidents."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Privacy: Federal Financial Regulators Should Take Additional Actions to Enhance Their Protection of Personal Information, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Federal financial regulators are agencies that supervise the products provided by financial institutions. As part of their oversight responsibilities, many regulators collect and maintain a large amount of consumers' PII [personally identifiable information]. Increased collection and use of PII by agencies can pose challenges in ensuring the protection of individuals' privacy. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review regulators' handling of PII. This report examines (1) what mission-related PII selected federal financial regulators collect, use, and share, and (2) the extent to which selected regulators ensure the privacy of the PII they collect, use, and share, in accordance with federal requirements and guidance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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FDA Workforce: Agency-Wide Workforce Planning Needed to Ensure Medical Product Staff Meet Current and Future Needs, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "FDA relies on a qualified medical product workforce to achieve its mission to protect public health. However, FDA has faced challenges meeting its medical product workforce needs, due in part to competition with the private sector for candidates. Enacted in 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act provided additional flexibilities to facilitate FDA's recruitment and retention of medical product staff and included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to study FDA's recruitment and retention of these staff. This report: (1) describes the strategies FDA uses to recruit, hire, and retain medical product staff, and (2) evaluates the workforce planning processes FDA uses for these staff and whether these processes follow leading workforce planning practices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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VA Mental Health Care: Improvements Needed in Tracking and Overseeing Partnerships with Nongovernmental Entities, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Many veterans struggle with mental health conditions, several of which are risk factors for suicide. VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] reported that almost two-thirds of veterans that died by suicide in 2019 did not receive VHA [Veterans Health Administration] services in 2018 or 2019. VA partners with a variety of entities, such as non-profits or academic institutions, through formal agreements aimed at expanding awareness of and access to suicide prevention activities and mental health services, in part to reach veterans not receiving VHA services. The Veterans' Care Quality Transparency Act contained a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review VA's agreements with non-VA entities that are related to suicide prevention activities and mental health services. This report examines (1) how VA tracks such agreements with nongovernmental entities across the department, and (2) how VA oversees individual agreements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Housing Finance System: Future Reforms Should Consider Past Plans and Vulnerabilities Highlighted by Pandemic, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Since 2013, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has designated the federal role in housing finance as a high-risk area because of the significant risks the current role poses. In September 2019, Treasury and HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development] began implementing housing finance reform plans, which included steps to transition the enterprises from federal conservatorship. But pandemic-related strains on the housing finance system and the transition to a new administration have increased uncertainty about the future of reform. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO to monitor federal efforts related to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Congress also included a provision in statute for GAO to annually review financial services regulations. This report examines (1) vulnerabilities in the housing finance system highlighted by the pandemic, and (2) the nature and status of recommendations in the 2019 reform plans and the extent to which they align with system vulnerabilities and GAO's housing finance reform framework (GAO-15-131)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Immigration: Information on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In June 2012, DHS established the DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] initiative. Under DACA, DHS has the discretion to provide temporary protection from removal from the U.S. (or, deferred action) for certain noncitizens who came to the U.S. before age 16. DACA recipients are neither granted lawful immigration status nor put on a pathway to lawful status. Rather, they are considered to be lawfully present in the U.S. during the 2-year period of deferred action. USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] has granted DACA to more than 800,000 noncitizens. In July 2021, a federal court ruled that USCIS may not approve first-time DACA requests but temporarily permitted USCIS to continue to approve renewals of previously approved requests. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the extent to which USCIS shares information on DACA requestors and recipients with immigration enforcement agencies. This report describes (1) the circumstances under which USCIS shares information on DACA requestors with immigration enforcement agencies and (2) how CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] and ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] have applied DHS's immigration enforcement priorities to DACA recipients and those who may have potentially qualified for DACA since 2012."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Coast Guard: Enhancements Needed to Strengthen Marine Inspection Workforce Planning Efforts, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The Coast Guard serves as the principal federal agency responsible for marine safety. A key element of this mission is the marine inspection program, which employs marine inspectors to conduct vessel inspections. However, for decades, the program has faced challenges maintaining an adequate staff of experienced marine safety personnel. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review marine inspection workforce issues. This report examines the extent to which the Coast Guard has (1) assessed its marine inspection workforce needs and (2) addressed these needs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Coast Guard: Assessment of a Risk-Based Approach for Conducting Gas Carrier Exams is Needed, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Gas carrier ships that transport liquefied natural gas and other products overseas can pose safety and environmental risks because the cargo is highly combustible. Further, gas carrier vessel traffic in U.S. ports has increased from about 1,200 in 2011 to more than 3,200 in 2020. The Coast Guard is the principal federal agency responsible for marine safety and is required by statute to conduct gas carrier compliance exams annually. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on gas carrier compliance exam issues. This report addresses (1) Coast Guard marine inspector staffing levels and its ability to meet gas carrier compliance mission needs, (2) the extent to which the Coast Guard updates its gas carrier compliance exam policies and procedures, and (3) the extent to which the Coast Guard has assessed the efficiency of its policies and procedures in the context of risk."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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Disaster Recovery: School Districts in Socially Vulnerable Communities Faced Heightened Challenges After Recent Natural Disasters, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Since 2017, over 300 presidentially-declared major disasters have occurred across all 50 states and all U.S. territories. Many of these disasters have had devastating effects on K-12 [kindergarten through 12 grade] schools, including those in socially vulnerable communities for whom disaster recovery is more challenging. The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 included provisions for GAO to audit issues related to certain recent disasters. This report reviews (1) the extent to which school districts that received key federal disaster recovery grants served students from selected socially vulnerable groups, (2) the recovery experiences of selected K-12 school districts in socially vulnerable communities, and (3) the extent to which Education's Restart program supports school disaster recovery. GAO analyzed disaster-related data from FEMA and Education including data on Restart grants and program documentation, and reviewed relevant federal laws and agency guidance. GAO also collected information from five school districts in three states, selected for demographic diversity, elevated rates of social vulnerability in their community, and receipt of Restart grants. In addition, GAO interviewed officials from FEMA and Education."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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COVID-19: HHS and DOD Transitioned Vaccine Responsibilities to HHS, but Need to Address Outstanding Issues, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Vaccines have played a crucial role in battling the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The CAG [Countermeasures Acceleration Group] worked with vaccine companies to develop COVID-19 vaccines, and made available a sufficient supply for all eligible people in the nation. An April 2021 memorandum of understanding between HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] and DOD called for the transfer of remaining CAG responsibilities to HHS and for identification of lessons learned. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines, among other things, the CAG's progress on (1) transitioning its responsibilities to HHS, and (2) developing a process for a joint interagency lessons learned review. GAO reviewed CAG transition and contracting documents and interviewed or received written responses from CAG officials, federal agencies, and representatives from the six vaccine companies that worked with the CAG. [...] GAO is making five recommendations related to workforce needs, scheduling best practices for vaccine-related activities; and lessons learned from key stakeholders. HHS did not concur with GAO's recommendation on workforce needs. GAO revised this recommendation based on updated information, but maintains that it continues to be valid, as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
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U.S. Secret Service: Further Progress Made Implementing the Protective Mission Panel Recommendations, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The Secret Service, a component of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for providing physical protection for the President, the Vice President, their immediate families, and visiting foreign dignitaries, as well as for the White House complex. The Secret Service Overtime Pay Extension Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on the extent of progress made by the Secret Service in implementing the Panel's recommendations. This report addresses the progress that the Secret Service has made toward implementing the Panel's recommendations. For this report, GAO reviewed relevant Secret Service planning and implementation documents, analyzed agency training data from fiscal years 2014 through 2020, and interviewed agency officials. [...] In prior work, GAO recommended that Secret Service: (1) develop and implement a plan to ensure that special agents assigned to the Presidential and Vice Presidential Protective Divisions reach annual training targets, and (2) develop and implement a policy that documents the process for collecting complete and appropriate data on Uniformed Division officer training. DHS concurred with the two recommendations and has taken steps to address them, but planning and policy development steps remain."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-01
