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Defense Management: Observations on DOD's Business Reform Efforts and Plan, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DOD spends billions of dollars each year to maintain key business operations intended to support the warfighter. The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 established requirements for DOD to reform its enterprise business operations. Section 921 of the act required the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Chief Management Officer, to submit to the congressional defense committees by February 1, 2019, a plan, schedule, and cost estimate for reforms of DOD's enterprise business operations to increase effectiveness and efficiency of mission execution. [...] GAO's objectives were to assess (1) DOD's 921 plan, including its feasibility in reforming DOD's business operations, and (2) the extent to which DOD has made progress in implementing the plan and its broader reform efforts. [...] GAO has previously made eight recommendations related to DOD's reform initiatives from three prior reports. DOD concurred with those recommendations and is working to address them, in part through the initiatives GAO discusses."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Defense Workforce: Steps Needed to Identify Acquisition Training Needs for Non-Acquisition Personnel, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights:"DOD spends hundreds of billions of dollars annually acquiring products and services. Since 1990, Congress and DOD have taken numerous steps to address issues related to the quality of DOD's acquisition workforce, which consists of contracting officers, cost estimators, and personnel in several other career fields. But tens of thousands of others, referred to as nonacquisition personnel, also affect how DOD acquires products and services such as major weapon systems and logistics support. These personnel have a wide range of primary responsibilities, such as piloting aircraft and managing facilities, and they are sometimes directed to perform acquisition-related functions, such as overseeing contracts. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 included a provision for GAO to review steps DOD has taken to ensure non-acquisition personnel receive appropriate acquisition-related training. This report addresses the extent to which DOD can identify (1) non-acquisition personnel supporting acquisitions, and (2) their need for acquisition training. GAO analyzed training data; reviewed policies, guidance, and memorandums; and interviewed personnel from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military departments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Defense Supplier Base: Challenges and Policy Considerations Regarding Offshoring and Foreign Investment Risks, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Key Takeaways: "Foreign investments in U.S. companies vary annually, but the extent of offshoring is largely unknown. We convened a panel of experts to talk about the benefits and risks of both. Panelists noted that offshoring can lower costs and provide better access to foreign workers and markets. When companies that offshore contract with DOD, they can pass those benefits along. Foreign investment can help U.S. companies grow. The panelists also outlined some of the risks of relying on a globalized supply chain."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Marine Debris: Interagency Committee Members Are Taking Action, but Additional Steps Could Enhance the Federal Response, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "GAO was asked to review federal efforts to address marine debris. This report examines (1) how the committee coordinates among federal agencies and the process for determining membership, (2) the extent to which the committee's biennial reports contain required elements, and (3) experts' suggestions on actions the federal government could take to most effectively address marine debris. GAO examined the Marine Debris Act and committee reports, compared committee practices with leading collaboration practices, interviewed federal agency officials, and interviewed a nongeneralizable sample of 14 marine debris experts selected to reflect various sectors and experiences with different types of marine debris."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Anderson, Nathaniel
2019-09
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Prescription Opioids: Patient Options for Safe and Effective Disposal of Unused Opioids, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "In 2017, an estimated 11.1 million Americans misused a prescription pain reliever, which included opioids. This misuse contributes to opioid abuse and death, which has quintupled from 1999 to 2017; about 17,000 people died from prescription opioid overdoses in 2017. Government agencies and stakeholders have attempted to address the potential for misuse and abuse by facilitating safe disposal of unused prescription opioids and other drugs. The SUPPORT [Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment] for Patients and Communities Act enacted in 2018 included a provision for GAO to review patient disposal of unused opioids, among other things. This report examines (1) federally recommended and other available methods patients may use to dispose of unused prescription opioids, and (2) what is known about patients' use of these methods."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Animal Use in Research: Federal Agencies Should Assess and Report on Their Efforts to Develop and Promote Alternatives, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "GAO was asked to review issues related to alternatives to animal research. This report (1) describes how HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], USDA, and EPA ensure researchers consider the use of alternatives to animals and (2) examines the steps the agencies have taken to facilitate the use of alternative research methods and to assess the effect of their efforts on animal use. GAO reviewed documents, such as agency policies and practices relevant to the consideration of alternatives and interviewed agency officials. GAO also interviewed representatives of a nongeneralizable sample of 12 federal and nonfederal research facilities randomly selected across agencies and facilities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure: Processes for Improving Resilience Should Fully Align with DHS Risk Management Framework, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "GAO was asked to review Coast Guard efforts to improve the resilience of its shore infrastructure. This report (1) describes Coast Guard actions to improve shore infrastructure resilience since 2005, and (2) examines the extent to which its processes to improve shore infrastructure resilience follow DHS's key steps for critical infrastructure risk management. GAO reviewed and analyzed Coast Guard guidance and data on assessed infrastructure and interviewed Coast Guard officials. GAO also compared Coast Guard policies, procedures, and actions to manage shore infrastructure against DHS's framework for managing risks to critical infrastructure."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Federal Contracting: Information on Agencies' Use of the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Process, Report to Congressional Committees
From What GAO [Government Accountability Office] Found: "Defense and civilian agencies are in the process of revising acquisition regulations to include criteria and limitations for using the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) process, as established under the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) for Fiscal Years 2017 and 2019. While the Acts required revised regulations to be in place within 120 days of enactment, officials involved in revising the regulations stated that this process typically takes at least a year. The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a proposed Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) rule in December 2018 and expects the rule to be finalized by the end of fiscal year 2019. Officials responsible for revising the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) have drafted a proposed FAR rule. The proposed FAR rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register in September 2019. See the figure below for the time frames and actions taken to update the DFARS and the FAR."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Opioid Vaccines
From the Document: "Opioid vaccines are medical therapies designed to block opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, from entering the brain or spinal cord, thus preventing addiction and other negative effects. While none are approved for use yet, they could be useful for at-risk individuals, patients in drug recovery programs, or first responders who might accidentally come into contact with deadly opioids that can be absorbed through the skin. This approach offers advantages over some current treatment methods, including requiring minimal medical supervision and no potential for abuse."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Persons, Timothy M.
2019-09
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Disaster Response: HHS Should Address Deficiencies Highlighted by Recent Hurricanes in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "GAO was asked to review the federal public health and medical services response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. This report examines HHS's [Department of Health and Human Services] actions and leadership of this response, among other things. GAO reviewed documentation on the preparedness for, and response to, the hurricanes. It also interviewed federal and territory officials and interviewed or received written responses from eight nonfederal stakeholders involved in the response, such as nongovernmental organizations. GAO identified these stakeholders through research and referrals."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Nuclear Waste Cleanup: DOE Faces Project Management and Disposal Challenges with High-Level Waste at Idaho National Laboratory, Report to the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "Decades of defense activities at DOE's [Department of Energy] Idaho National Laboratory produced two forms of waste that EM [Environmental Management] has managed as HLW [high-level waste]: liquid SBW [sodium-bearing waste] and granular calcine waste. Under an agreement with the state, DOE must treat the waste to prepare it for removal from Idaho by 2035. Construction on the IWTU [Integrated Waste Treatment Unit], EM's facility to treat such waste, was completed in 2012, but initial testing of the SBW treatment process revealed design problems. EM has since been working to reengineer the IWTU. Total project construction and reengineering expenditures have reached nearly $1 billion as of February 2019. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review EM's efforts to treat and dispose of the SBW and calcine waste. This report examines (1) the extent to which EM's management of the IWTU follows selected project management best practices; (2) challenges EM faces in disposing of the SBW; and (3) challenges EM faces in treating and disposing of the calcine waste."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Date Labels on Packaged Foods: USDA and FDA Could Take Additional Steps to Reduce Consumer Confusion, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] has reported that almost one-third of the U.S. food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels. Studies indicate that some of this waste may occur because of consumer confusion about the meaning of date labels displayed on packaged food. Such labels are not federally regulated, and food manufacturers use different phrases on date labels. USDA and FDA have roles in ensuring the U.S. food supply is safe and properly labeled, but neither agency been directed--or given express authority--to regulate date labels."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Conflict Minerals: 2018 Company Reports on Mineral Sources Were Similar in Number and Content to Those Filed in the Prior 2 Years, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Since the UN first deployed a peacekeeping mission to the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] 2 decades ago, the United States and the international community have sought to improve security in the country. In eastern DRC, armed groups have committed severe human rights abuses, including sexual violence, and reportedly profit from the exploitation of 'conflict minerals'--in particular, tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold--according to the UN. Congress included a provision in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that, among other things, required the SEC [U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission] to promulgate regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals from the DRC and adjoining countries. The SEC adopted these regulations in 2012. The act also included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to annually assess the SEC regulations' effectiveness in promoting peace and security and to report on the rate of sexual violence in the DRC and adjoining countries."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Investigational Drugs: FDA and Drug Manufacturers Have Ongoing Efforts to Facilitate Access for Some Patients, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "When investigational drugs show promise for treating serious or life-threatening diseases, patients are often interested in obtaining access to them. Congress included a provision in the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] Reauthorization Act of 2017 for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review actions taken to facilitate access to these drugs. This report describes (1) actions FDA and drug manufacturers have taken to broaden eligibility criteria for clinical trials, (2) actions FDA has taken to facilitate access to investigational drugs outside of clinical trials, and (3) information drug manufacturers have communicated to patients and physicians about access to investigational drugs outside of clinical trials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Foreign Assistance: State Department Should Take Steps to Improve Timeliness of Required Budgetary Reporting, Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "State and USAID [United States Agency for International Development] were responsible for managing $33.7 billion in foreign assistance funds in fiscal year 2018. Section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 mandates the President to report to Congress, on an annual basis, funding allocations by foreign country and category of assistance within 30 days of Congress appropriating certain funds. State, in coordination with USAID, makes decisions on how to allocate the funds, taking into consideration congressional instructions, the administration's priorities, and country-specific foreign assistance needs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Information Technology: DOD Needs to Fully Implement Program for Piloting Open Source Software, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Open source software is code that is released under a license which grants users the right to modify, share, and reuse the software. Making code available for reuse as open source can have major benefits such as decreasing costs and improving efficiencies. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 required DOD to submit a plan to Congress for initiating the open source software pilot program established by OMB [Office of Management and Budget] memorandum M16-21. DOD submitted its plan to Congress in June 2018. The act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on DOD's implementation of the open source software pilot program. GAO's objectives were to (1) assess the extent to which DOD has implemented the open source software pilot program and other related requirements established by OMB; and (2) describe the views of responsible DOD officials on the use of open source software to achieve efficiency, transparency, and innovation at the department. To address these objectives, GAO compared DOD's plan for implementing the program to OMB's memo. GAO also interviewed defense officials at 11 DOD components including military departments, and defense agencies on their views about the benefits and risks of making code available as open source software."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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USAID Reform: Efforts Address Most Key Practices but Could Improve in Performance Assessment and Strategic Workforce Planning, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "In March 2017, the President issued an executive order to federal agencies intended to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the executive branch. The order required the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a plan to reorganize and streamline the government. In April 2017, OMB issued additional guidance to agencies on implementing the order. In response, USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] launched several efforts to reform its organizational structure, workforce, programs, and processes with the ultimate goal of ending the need for foreign assistance by helping partner countries become more self-reliant. GAO's [Government Accountability Office] prior work has shown that successful agency reforms depend on following key practices for organizational transformation, such as establishing goals and outcomes and involving key stakeholders. This report examines (1) the status of USAID's reform efforts and (2) the extent to which USAID has addressed key practices in planning and implementing those efforts. GAO reviewed USAID reform plans, proposals, and related documents and met with officials involved in its reform efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Surface Transportation: DHS is Developing and Testing Security Technologies, but Could Better Share Test Results, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Since 2016, bombings of subways and bus systems in foreign cities and attempted attacks in U.S. cities demonstrate continued security threats to mass transit and other surface transportation systems. S&T [Science and Technology Directorate] and TSA are the primary federal entities responsible for researching, developing, and testing technologies designed to address threats to these systems. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has previously identified challenges with S&T's oversight of R&D [research and development] projects. GAO was asked to review S&T and TSA's roles in developing and testing surface transportation security technologies. This report, among other objectives, (1) assesses the extent to which S&T is developing technologies to secure surface transportation systems and progress made, and (2) identifies the key mechanisms that S&T, TSA, and stakeholders use to collaborate and share information on identifying capability gaps and security technologies, and analyzes the extent to which they are effective."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Disaster Response: Federal Assistance and Selected States and Territory Efforts to Identify Deaths from 2017 Hurricanes, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In 2017, three major hurricanes-- Harvey, Irma, and Maria--struck Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, causing severe damage and deaths. After Hurricane Maria, questions were raised about how deaths related to the hurricane were identified and documented in Puerto Rico. States and local jurisdictions are responsible for identifying and documenting disaster-related deaths. Additionally, the federal government may play a role in helping to respond to disaster-related deaths, by, for example, providing Funeral Assistance for eligible funeral costs. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review Puerto Rico's process for identifying and documenting deaths related to Hurricane Maria, as well as other states' related processes, and federal agencies' assistance in this process. This report discusses, among other things, (1) how Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico identified and documented deaths related to the 2017 hurricanes, and any challenges they experienced, (2) the support selected federal agencies provided to Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico involving disaster-related deaths, and (3) the number of Funeral Assistance applications FEMA received, approved, and denied for the 2017 hurricanes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Foreign Military Sales: DOD Should Strengthen Oversight of Its Growing Transportation Account Balances, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The FMS [Foreign Military Sales] program is one of the primary ways the U.S. government supports its foreign partners, by annually selling them billions of dollars of items and services. According to DOD, the FMS program is intended to operate on a 'no profit, no loss' basis, with purchasers not charged excessive fees and fee revenue covering operating costs. Foreign partners can arrange for their own transportation of FMS items or pay DOD a transportation fee to cover the costs of DOD transporting them. The fees are collected into transportation accounts in the FMS Trust Fund. House Report 114-537 and Senate Report 114-255 included provisions that GAO review DSCA's [Defense Security Cooperation Agency] management of FMS fees. This report examines (1) the balances of the FMS transportation accounts for fiscal years 2007 through 2018, (2) DSCA's management oversight of the accounts, and (3) DSCA's processes for setting transportation fees. GAO analyzed DOD data and documents, and interviewed DOD officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Immigration Benefits: Additional Actions Needed to Address Fraud Risks in Program for Foreign National Victims of Domestic Abuse, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "GAO was asked to review fraud risks in the self-petition process and how, if at all, DHS assists U.S. citizens or LPRs [lawful permanent resident] who may have been falsely identified as domestic abusers. This report examines the extent to which (1) USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] has adopted relevant leading practices in GAO's Fraud Risk Framework for the self-petition program; and (2) DHS provides assistance to U.S. citizens or LPRs who may have been falsely identified as domestic abusers in the self-petition process, and steps DHS takes when suspected fraud is identified. GAO reviewed documents, interviewed officials, analyzed program data, and assessed the agency's approach to managing fraud risks against GAO's Fraud Risk Framework."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Tax-Law Enforcement: IRS Could Better Leverage Existing Data to Identify Abusive Schemes Involving Tax-Exempt Entities, Report to the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Abusive tax schemes contribute to the tax gap and threaten the tax system's integrity. When abusive tax schemes involve tax-exempt entities, they also can erode the public's confidence in the charitable sector. GAO was asked to review what is known about abusive transactions involving tax-exempt entities and how IRS [Internal Revenue Service] addresses them. This report, among other things, (1) describes ways in which taxpayers have abused an entity's tax-exempt status; (2) examines trends in IRS's compliance efforts; and (3) assesses how IRS identifies emerging abusive tax schemes involving tax-exempt entities. GAO reviewed research on tax schemes involving tax-exempt entities, and interviewed relevant professionals and researchers about tax schemes involving tax-exempt entities; compiled statistics from IRS audit and disclosure data; and compared documentation and testimony from IRS officials on IRS programs and guidance from its operating divisions with certain internal control and GAO fraud framework criteria."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Environmental Justice: Federal Efforts Need Better Planning, Coordination, and Methods to Assess Progress, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Environmental justice seeks to address the disproportionately high distribution of health and environmental risks among low-income and minority communities by seeking their fair treatment and meaningful involvement in environmental policy. In 1994, Executive Order 12898 directed 11 federal agencies to identify and address environmental justice issues related to their activities and tasked an interagency working group to coordinate federal environmental justice efforts. In 2011, 16 agencies, including the 11 original agencies, recommitted to planning and reporting on environmental justice efforts by signing an MOU [Memorandum of Understanding]. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal environmental justice efforts. This report examines agencies' environmental justice actions, strategic plans and progress reports, and working group collaboration. GAO reviewed agency environmental justice plans, reports, and funding data; interviewed agency officials; and compared working group collaboration to leading collaborative practices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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U.S. Assistance to Mexico: State and USAID Allocated Over $700 Million to Support Criminal Justice, Border Security, and Related Efforts from Fiscal Year 2014 Through 2018, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "For more than a decade, the activities of transnational criminal organizations have led to increased crime, violence, and lawlessness in parts of Mexico. In October 2007, Mexico and the United States created the Mérida Initiative, a bilateral partnership to address crime and violence and enhance the rule of law in Mexico. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to describe funding and projects the United States has provided under the Mérida Initiative. This report describes (1) State/INL [Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs] and USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] funding for the Mérida Initiative from fiscal year 2014 through 2018 and (2) the number and type of Mérida Initiative projects active during these years. GAO reviewed State and USAID documents and data, and interviewed officials from State, USAID, DOD, DHS, and DOJ [Department of Justice] in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Commercial Aviation: Information on Passenger Assaults Against Airline Customer Service Agents at Airports, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Recent media reports have detailed incidents at airports where passengers have acted disruptively or violently toward airline customer service agents, who assist passengers checking into their flights and boarding aircraft, among other things. While state and local laws generally prohibit these types of actions, some stakeholders have raised questions about these agents' safety. The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Reauthorization Act of 2018 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] examine passenger violence against airline customer service agents at airports. This report examines (1) what is known about assaults by passengers against customer service agents and (2) stakeholders' perspectives on the sufficiency of state and local laws and resources to deter and address such incidents."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Disaster Response: FEMA and the American Red Cross Need to Ensure Key Mass Care Organizations Are Included in Coordination and Planning, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "This report examines (1) FEMA's and the Red Cross' coordination of mass care in response to the 2017 hurricanes, and (2) FEMA's support and use of assessments of mass care capabilities for the 2017 hurricanes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Oil and Gas: Bureau of Land Management Should Address Risks from Insufficient Bonds to Reclaim Wells, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The oil and natural gas produced from wells on federal lands are important to the U.S. energy supply and bring in billions in federal revenue each year. However, when wells are not properly managed, the federal government may end up paying to clean up the wells when they stop producing. Specifically, wells on federal lands that an operator does not reclaim and for which there are no other liable parties fall to BLM [Bureau of Land Management] to reclaim (restore lands to as close to their original natural states as possible). These wells become orphaned if the operator's bond held by BLM is not sufficient to cover reclamation costs. BLM regulations set minimum bond values at $10,000 for all of an operator's wells on an individual lease, $25,000 for all of an operator's wells in a state, and $150,000 for all of an operator's wells nationwide. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the status of oil and gas bonding for federal lands. This report (1) describes the value of bonds for oil and gas wells in 2018 compared to 2008, and (2) examines the extent to which BLM's bonds ensure complete and timely reclamation and thus prevent orphaned wells. GAO analyzed agency data on bonds and wells and interviewed BLM officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Environmental Liabilities: DOE Would Benefit from Incorporating Risk-Informed Decision-Making into Its Cleanup Policy, Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "As of 2018, the U.S. government faced an estimated $577 billion in environmental liabilities. DOE [Department of Energy] is responsible for more than 85 percent of these liabilities. DOE is charged with cleaning up contamination from nuclear weapons production and energy research dating back to World War II and the Cold War, which generated large quantities of liquid and solid radioactive waste and contaminated soil and water. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review DOE's environmental cleanup decision-making. This report examines (1) the extent to which DOE has a framework for making risk-informed cleanup decisions, and (2) essential elements of a framework for making risk-informed cleanup decisions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Federal Land Management Agencies: Additional Actions Needed to Address Facility Security Assessment Requirements, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "A 2014 government report predicted that the rate of violent domestic extremist incidents would increase. In recent years, some high-profile incidents have occurred on federal lands, such as the armed occupation of a FWS [Fish and Wildlife] wildlife refuge in 2016. Federal land management agencies manage nearly 700 million acres of federal lands and have law enforcement divisions that protect their employees and secure their facilities. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how land management agencies protect their employees and secure their facilities. For the four federal land management agencies, this report examines, among other things, (1) what is known about the number of threats and assaults against their employees and (2) the extent to which agencies met federal facility security assessment requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-09
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Airline Consumer Protections: Information on Selected Airlines' Non-Discrimination Training Programs
From the Document: "Federal law prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry. Nevertheless, recent high-profile events reported in the media have led some non-discrimination advocacy organizations to question whether airlines treat all passengers equally and without bias. For example, in May 2016, airline personnel reportedly subjected an economics professor of Italian descent--perceived to be Middle Eastern--to additional security screening after a passenger raised security concerns upon seeing his math equations. While airline staff determined the threat was not credible and allowed the professor to fly, the flight was delayed for hours. More recently, in 2017, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) issued a travel advisory (lifted in 2018) against one airline, citing 'disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions' for African-American passengers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08-22
