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Federal Personal Property Disposal: Procedures and Reforms [August 20, 2019]
From the Summary: "'Federal personal property' is generally defined as anything the government owns that is not real property. Common examples of personal property include furniture, cars, laptops, scientific equipment, and machinery. Sound management of the government's personal property inventory--which is valued at more than $1 trillion--is necessary to mitigate the risk of waste, fraud, and loss. Federal statutes and regulations require agencies to regularly survey their personal property inventories and dispose of items they no longer need (excess personal property). When an agency identifies excess property, it must first offer it at no charge to other federal agencies. If excess property is not transferred to another federal agency, it is then declared 'surplus' and may be transferred to a State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP) for distribution to state and local governments and nonprofits. Surplus personal property that is not donated may be sold to the public. Unsold surplus property may be abandoned or destroyed (including through recycling)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2019-08-20
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North Korea: U.S. Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy, and Internal Situation [June 17, 2011]
"North Korea has been among the most vexing and persistent problems in U.S. foreign policy in the post-Cold War period. The United States has never had formal diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (the official name for North Korea). Negotiations over North Korea's nuclear weapons program have consumed the past three U.S. administrations, even as some analysts anticipated a collapse of the isolated authoritarian regime. North Korea has been the recipient of well over $1 billion in U.S. aid and the target of dozens of U.S. sanctions. This report provides background information on the negotiations over North Korea's nuclear weapons program that began in the early 1990s under the Clinton Administration. As U.S. policy toward Pyongyang evolved through the George W. Bush presidency and into the Obama Administration, the negotiations moved from mostly bilateral to the multilateral Six-Party Talks (made up of China, Japan, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and the United States). Although the negotiations have reached some key agreements that lay out deals for aid and recognition to North Korea in exchange for denuclearization, major problems with implementation have persisted. With talks suspended since 2009, concern about proliferation to other actors has grown. […] Modest attempts at engaging North Korea, including joint operations to recover U.S. servicemen's remains from the Korean War and some discussion about opening a U.S. liaison office in Pyongyang, remain suspended along with the nuclear negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-06-17
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Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act: Background, Overview, and Implementation Issues [October 6, 2006]
"On September 26, 2006, President Bush signed into law S. 2590, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (P.L. 109-282). According to supporters of the new law, P.L. 109-282 is an attempt to reduce 'wasteful and unnecessary spending' by the federal government, including spending on funds earmarked for special projects. To that end, the legislation requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish a publicly available, online database containing information about entities that are awarded federal grants, loans, and contracts. Using the database, supporters assert, a citizen or watchdog group will be able to easily determine how much money was given to which organizations, and for what purposes. The premise of the new law is that by making the details of federal spending available to the public, government officials will be less likely to fund projects that might be perceived as wasteful. Supporters of the legislation also suggest that the new database will give citizens the opportunity to better understand how the government distributes funds and enable the public to become more involved in the discussion of federal spending priorities. […] This report initially discusses the background of S. 2590, noting in particular how it compared to similar legislation in the House of Representatives. It then discusses the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act's provisions, noting what types of assistance are to be part of the new database, the primary sources of the data, and deadlines for implementation. Finally, the report identifies and discusses several issues that have been raised regarding the act that may affect its implementation, and that therefore may prove to be areas for future congressional oversight."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2006-10-06
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Federal Real Property Data: Limitations and Implications for Oversight [November 25, 2015]
From the Introduction: "The federal executive branch controls an extensive real property portfolio that includes more than a quarter of a million owned and leased buildings.. These buildings have been acquired over a period of decades to help federal agencies fulfill their unique missions. Agencies hold buildings with a range of uses, including offices, warehouses, barracks, laboratories, and hospitals. The cost of operating and maintaining these diverse properties, which total more than 2.8 billion square feet, exceeded $21 billion in FY2014. Oversight of the federal real property portfolio has been a priority for oversight committees in recent congresses, with committees in both the House and the Senate holding hearings and introducing legislation to improve, in particular, the management of federal buildings. Congressional oversight has focused in large part on four building management issues identified by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which has put real property on its annual 'high-risk list' since 2003. […] This report focuses on the challenges to effective oversight posed by the lack of accurate and reliable real property data, particularly as it relates to the disposal of unneeded buildings and the government's overreliance on costly leases. The balance of this report consists of three sections. The first section analyzes potential weaknesses in the data available to Congress on unutilized and underutilized buildings. The second section examines the nature of the government's reliance on costly leases and discusses which data elements might enhance oversight of leased building space. The final section of the report discusses options for policymakers to consider should they seek to address these data issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2015-11-25
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Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board: New Independent Agency Status [August 27, 2012]
"Recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission), the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) was initially established as an agency within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) in 2004. Critics, however, maintained that the board appeared to be a presidential appendage, devoid of the capability to exercise independent judgment and assessment or to provide impartial findings and recommendations. This viewpoint gained acceptance in the 110th Congress when the PCLOB was reconstituted as an independent agency within the executive branch by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (IR9/11CA), signed into law on August 6, 2007. On January 5, 2011, President Obama nominated two people to serve on the board, and on December 16, 2011, he nominated three others. On August 2, 2012, the Senate confirmed four nominees to the PCLOB, although the proposed chair of the board has not yet been confirmed. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2012-08-27
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Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board: New Independent Agency Status [November 14, 2011]
"Recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission), the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) was initially established as an agency within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) in 2004. Critics, however, maintained that the board appeared to be a presidential appendage, devoid of the capability to exercise independent judgment and assessment or to provide impartial findings and recommendations. This viewpoint gained acceptance in the 110th Congress when the PCLOB was reconstituted as an independent agency within the executive branch by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (IR9/11CA), signed into law on August 6, 2007. On January 5, 2011, President Obama nominated two people to serve on the board, but the Senate has not confirmed either. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-11-14
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FY2011 Appropriations: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Key Proposals and Enacted Legislation [September 12, 2011]
"FY2011 funding levels were not enacted in the 111th Congress. Thus, the debate over FY2011 appropriations continued into the 112th Congress and FY2011 spending proposals became a key focal point in the budget debates between the now-Republican-controlled House of Representatives and the Obama Administration. This report was originally intended to facilitate comparison of three key spending proposals for FY2011--the Administration's budget request, H.R. 1, and S.Amdt. 149 to H.R. 1--to FY2010 enacted funding levels. It has been updated to include the enacted FY2011 appropriations in P.L. 112-10. The report begins with a brief analysis of how each proposal could be expected to impact the federal budget deficit. The bulk of the report consists of a funding table that details the recommended discretionary appropriations in these proposals, by subcommittee and bill title, and compares the enacted FY2010 and enacted FY2011 appropriations. More detailed analysis of individual appropriations measures can be found at CRS.gov. This is the final update of this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-09-12
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Disposal of Unneeded Federal Buildings: Legislative Proposals in the 114th Congress [February 12, 2016]
"Real property disposal is the process by which federal agencies identify and then transfer, donate, or sell real property they no longer need. Disposition is an important asset management function because the costs of maintaining unneeded properties can be substantial, consuming financial resources that might be applied to long-standing real property needs, such as repairing existing facilities, or other pressing policy issues, such as reducing the national debt. Despite the expense, federal agencies hold thousands of unneeded and underutilized properties. Agencies have argued that they are unable to dispose of these properties for several reasons. First, there are statutorily prescribed steps in the disposal process that can take months to complete. Second, properties may not be appealing to potential buyers or lessees if they require major repairs or environmental remediation--steps for which agencies lack funding to complete before bringing a property to market. Third, key stakeholders in the disposal process--including local governments, non-profit organizations, and businesses--are often at odds over how to dispose of properties."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2016-02-12
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Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals, Groups, and Events [Updated June 11, 2019]
From the Document: "Since its inception, Congress has used commemorative legislation to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions; dramatize the virtues of individuals, groups, and causes; and perpetuate the remembrance of significant events. During the past two centuries, commemoratives have become an integral part of the American political tradition. They have been used to authorize the minting of commemorative coins and Congressional Gold Medals; fund monuments and memorials; create federal holidays; establish commissions to celebrate important anniversaries; and name public works, scholarships, endowments, fellowships, and historic sites."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.; Hatch, Garrett Leigh; Christensen, Michelle D. . . .
2019-06-11
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Overview of Federal Real Property Disposal Requirements and Procedures [December 10, 2014]
"The federal government holds thousands of properties that agencies no longer need to accomplish their missions. When the government disposes of unneeded properties--through transfer, donation, or sale--it generates savings by eliminating maintenance costs. In addition, when state or local governments, nonprofits, or businesses acquire unneeded federal properties, they may be used to provide services to the public, such as temporary housing, or contribute to economic development. The General Services Administration (GSA) plays a central role in disposing of unneeded property at most federal agencies. The Federal Real Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (Property Act) gives GSA the authority to dispose of real property at all federal agencies unless they have independent statutory authority to dispose of their own properties themselves. A number of agencies have independent disposal authority--ranging from limited to broad in scope--including two of the largest federal landholders, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Department of Defense."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh; Else, Daniel H.; Luther, Linda G. . . .
2014-12-10
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Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals, Groups, and Events [April 22, 2015]
"Since its inception, Congress has used commemorative legislation to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions; dramatize the virtues of individuals, groups, and causes; and perpetuate the remembrance of significant events. During the past two centuries, commemoratives have become an integral part of the American political tradition. They have been used to authorize the minting of commemorative coins and Congressional Gold Medals; fund monuments and memorials; create federal holidays; establish commissions to celebrate important anniversaries; and name public works, scholarships, endowments, fellowships, and historic sites. Current congressional practice for commemoratives includes a House Rule (Rule XII, clause 5, initially adopted during the 104th Congress (1995-1996)) that precludes the introduction or consideration of legislation that commemorates 'any remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a special period of time.' Such a rule does not exist in the Senate. This change to House Rules, together with the passage of more restrictive laws, rules, and procedures governing the enactment of several other types of commemoratives, has substantially reduced the time Congress spends considering and adopting such measures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.; Elwell, Craig Kent, 1947-; Glassman, Matthew . . .
2014-04-22
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Misuse of Government Purchase Cards: Background, Legislation, and Analysis [December 6, 2019]
From the Summary: "Following their introduction in the mid-1990s, the usage of government purchase cards expanded at a rapid rate. Spurred by legislative and regulatory reforms designed to increase the use of purchase cards for small acquisitions, the dollar volume of government purchase card transactions grew from $527 million in FY1993 to $19.5 billion in FY2011. While the use of purchase cards was credited with reducing administrative costs during that time, audits of agency purchase card programs found varying degrees of waste, fraud, and abuse. One of the most common risk factors cited by auditors was a weak internal control environment: many agencies failed to implement adequate safeguards against card misuse, even as their purchase card programs grew. [...] This report begins by providing background on the origin and structure of agency purchase card programs. It then discusses identified weaknesses in agency purchase card controls that have contributed to card misuse, and examines provisions of the Charge Card Act that are intended to address those weaknesses. Finally, the report examines implementation of the Charge Card Act and analyzes ongoing risks to agency purchase card programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2019-12-06
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Repairs and Alterations Backlog at the General Services Administration [June 12, 2020]
From the Summary: "The General Services Administration (GSA), often referred to as 'the government's landlord,' provides workspace for 1.2 million federal employees across more than 50 federal agencies. Half of the space that tenant agencies occupy (183.8 million square feet) is located in buildings that GSA owns. As the property owner, GSA is responsible for ensuring that repairs and alterations (R&A) are completed in a timely manner. When R&A needs are deferred, a number of negative consequences may result, including health and safety code violations, deterioration of building systems, increased operating costs, and decreased asset value. For GSA-owned buildings, which have an average age of 49 years, R&A projects are often essential for extending the life of the property. Over the past four decades, GSA has accumulated a multibillion-dollar R&A liability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2020-06-12
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Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016: Background and Key Provisions [October 31, 2017]
"Real property disposal is the process by which federal agencies identify and then transfer, donate, or sell real property they no longer need. Disposition is an important asset management function because the costs of maintaining unneeded properties can be substantial. Moreover, properties the government no longer needs may be used by state or local governments, nonprofits, or businesses to provide benefits to the public. Finally, the government loses potential revenue when it holds onto certain unneeded properties that might be sold for a profit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2017-10-31
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Presidential Transitions: Executive Clemency [November 24, 2020]
From the Document: "In Section 2 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (as amended; 3 U.S.C. 102 note), Congress declared that '[t]he national interest requires that [presidential] transitions ... be accomplished so as to assure continuity in the faithful execution of the laws and in the conduct of the affairs of the Federal Government, both foreign and domestic.' The crux of such a transition is the transfer of executive power from the incumbent to the President-elect. The executive's power manifests in a variety of processes with application to a broad range of policy areas and issues. CRS [Congressional Research Service] has produced a set of products examining selected processes and policies that may be of particular interest during a presidential transition. This Insight discusses the use of executive clemency powers during a presidential transition. Other related products examine executive orders, government records, presidential appointments (executive branch), rulemaking, and presidential transitions generally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2020-11-24
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Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals, Groups, and Events [May 9, 2014]
"Since its inception, Congress has used commemorative legislation to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions; dramatize the virtues of individuals, groups, and causes; and perpetuate the remembrance of significant events. During the past two centuries, commemoratives have become an integral part of the American political tradition. They have been used to authorize the minting of commemorative coins and Congressional Gold Medals; fund monuments and memorials; create federal holidays; establish commissions to celebrate important anniversaries; and name public works, scholarships, endowments, fellowships, and historic sites. Current congressional practice for commemoratives includes a House Rule (Rule XII, clause 5, initially adopted during the 104th Congress (1995-1996)) that precludes the introduction or consideration of legislation that commemorates 'any remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a special period of time.' Such a rule does not exist in the Senate. This change to House Rules, together with the passage of more restrictive laws, rules, and procedures governing the enactment of several other types of commemoratives, has substantially reduced the time Congress spends considering and adopting such measures. This report summarizes the evolution of commemorative legislation as well as the laws, rules, and procedures that have been adopted to control the types of commemoratives considered and enacted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Straus, Jacob R.; Elwell, Craig Kent, 1947-; Glassman, Matthew . . .
2014-05-09
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Financial Services and General Government: FY2012 Appropriations [November 08, 2011]
"The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and more than two dozen independent agencies. Among those independent agencies are the General Services Administration (GSA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is funded in the House through the Agriculture appropriations bill and in the Senate through the FSGG bill. CFTC funding is included in all FSGG funding tables in this report. […] On April 14, 2011, the House and the Senate passed H.R. 1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, which the President signed into law (P.L. 112- 10) the following day. The act provides $44.69 billion for FSGG agencies, including $203 million for the CFTC, for FY2011, a decrease of $1.74 billion below FY2010 enacted amounts. On July 7, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 2434, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2012. H.R. 2434 would provide $42.97 billion for agencies funded through the House FSGG Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition, the CFTC would receive $172 million through the FY2012 agriculture appropriations bill, H.R. 2112. Total FY2012 funding provided by the House would be $43.14 billion, about $5.58 billion below the President's FY2012 request and $1.55 billion less than FY2011 enacted amounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-11-08
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Public-Private Partnerships for Purposes of Federal Real Property Management [December 12, 2013]
"While public-private partnerships (PPPs) have long been used to manage real property, congressional interest in PPPs has recently increased due to the large number of underutilized and excess buildings owned by federal agencies, as well as sequestration and other spending constraints. There is no single, accepted definition of 'public-private partnership,' and PPPs can be structured in many ways. However, for purposes of this report, a PPP is an agreement whereby a nonfederal entity acquires the right to use a real property owned or controlled by a federal agency--typically through a long-term lease--in exchange for redeveloping or renovating that property (or other property). In many cases, the agency and the nonfederal entity share the net cash flow or savings that result from the agreement. […] When contemplating expanded use of PPPs, Congress may wish to consider the limited information available about existing authorities that may permit landholding agencies to enter PPPs, and whether and how these authorities are currently being utilized. Congress may also wish to consider agencies' capabilities to enter into and oversee performance of these arguably complicated arrangements; agencies' authority to retain and use any net proceeds from PPPs; and the interplay between PPPs and current processes for disposing of excess property."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh; Manuel, Kate
2013-12-12
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Improper Payments and Recovery Audits: Legislation, Implementation, and Analysis [October 18, 2013]
"As Congress searches for ways to generate savings, reduce the deficit, and fund federal programs, it has held hearings and passed legislation to prevent and recover improper payments. Improper payments--which exceeded $115 billion in FY2011--are payments made in an incorrect amount, payments that should not have been made at all, or payments made to an ineligible recipient or for an ineligible purpose. The total amount of improper payments may be even higher than reported because several agencies have yet to determine improper payment amounts for many programs, including some with billions of dollars in annual expenditures. In 2002, Congress passed the Improper Payments Information Act […] which established an initial framework for identifying, measuring, preventing, and reporting on improper payments at each agency. That same year, Congress also passed legislation, the Recovery Audit Act […] which required agencies that awarded more than $500 million annually in contracts to establish programs to recover overpayments to contractors. After five years of reporting, the data indicated that while many individual programs reduced their improper payment rates, the total amount of improper payments and the government-wide improper payment rate both increased. Since the IPIA reporting requirements took effect, agencies have expanded the number of programs reported each year. One potential consequence of this expansion is that the annual dollar amount of improper payments reported has more than doubled over time from $45 billion in FY2004 to $108 billion in FY2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2013-10-18
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Disposal of Unneeded Federal Buildings: Legislative Proposals in the 113th Congress [September 27, 2013]
"Real property disposal is the process by which federal agencies identify and then transfer, donate, or sell real property they no longer need. Disposition is an important asset management function because the costs of maintaining unneeded properties can be substantial, consuming financial resources that might be applied to long-standing real property needs, such as repairing existing facilities, or other pressing policy issues, such as reducing the national debt. Despite the expense, federal agencies hold thousands of unneeded and underutilized properties. Agencies have argued that they are unable to dispose of these properties for several reasons. First, there are statutorily prescribed steps in the disposal process that can take months to complete. Second, agencies are often required to complete major repairs or environmental remediation before properties are ready for disposal--steps for which agencies lack funding. Third, key stakeholders in the disposal process--including local governments, non-profit organizations, and businesses--are often at odds over how to dispose of properties. In addition, Congress may be limited in its capacity to conduct oversight of the disposal process because it currently lacks access to reliable, comprehensive real property data. Three bills have been introduced in the 113th Congress that propose significant changes to the existing real property disposal system. The Federal Real Property Asset Management Reform Act of 2013 (S. 1398), would establish an expedited disposal program under which 200 properties would be exempt from time-consuming, statutory disposal requirements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2013-09-27
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Federal Financing Reporting: An Overview [October 22, 2013]
"Federal financial reporting--defined here as the process of recording retrospective executive department-level financial and performance information--can provide both a snapshot of the government's financial health at a given moment in time, as well as an accounting of its financial performance over a particular time frame. Federal financial reports may help the federal government demonstrate accountability, provide information for policy formulation and planning, and be used to evaluate governmental performance. Multiple reports are required by law, and all are intended to permit users--Congress, the President, agency heads, program managers, and citizens--to see how the government raises, handles, and expends public money. Congress, in particular, may find the information in federal financial reports useful for oversight. […] Congress has recently considered legislation relating to audits of federal financial statements. In the 113th Congress, Representative Lee has introduced legislation (H.R. 559) that would require a 5% reduction in a federal agency's discretionary budgetary authority for failure to produce an annual financial statement or failure to receive either an unqualified or qualified audit opinion on its annual financial statement. H.R. 559 was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Armed Services. The 112th Congress considered similar legislation, as well as legislation on audited annual financial statements at DOD and DHS, specifically. In the 112th Congress, Senator Coburn introduced the Audit the Pentagon Act, which would have mandated auditable financial statements by DOD for its FY2017 statements. The legislation also would have required DOD to provide a complete and validated statement of budgetary resources by FY2014."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2013-10-22
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Improper Payments and Recovery Audits: Legislation, Implementation, and Analysis [January 02, 2013]
"As Congress searches for ways to generate savings, reduce the deficit, and fund federal programs, it has held hearings and passed legislation to prevent and recover improper payments. Improper payments--which exceeded $115 billion in FY2011--are payments made in an incorrect amount, payments that should not have been made at all, or payments made to an ineligible recipient or for an ineligible purpose. The total amount of improper payments may be even higher than reported because several agencies have yet to determine improper payment amounts for many programs, including some with billions of dollars in annual expenditures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Levine, Meredith A.; Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2013-01-02
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Improper Payments in High-Priority Programs: In Brief [July 16, 2018]
"The Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA) of 2002 defines improper payments as payments that should not have been made or that were made in an incorrect amount, including both overpayments and underpayments. This definition includes payments made to ineligible recipients, duplicate payments, payments for a good or service not received, and payments that do not account for applicable discounts. Since FY2004, federal agencies have been required to report on the amount of improper payments they issue each year and take steps to address the root causes of the problem. The data show a significant increase in improper payments from FY2007 ($42 billion) to FY2010 ($121 billion), followed by a slight decrease through FY2013 ($106 billion), another increase through FY2016 ($144 billion), and a slight decrease in FY2017 ($141 billion). The data also show that a small subset of programs has accounted for 85% to 98% of the government's total improper payments each year. With this in mind, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13520 in 2009, which requires agencies to take additional measures to reduce the amount of improper payments associated with these 'high-priority' programs. Notably, the executive order requires agencies to identify high-priority programs, develop detailed plans for reducing related improper payments, and establish annual goals against which progress could be measured. Agencies have identified 20 high-priority programs, all but one of which have been reporting data for several years. The data on high-priority programs present mixed results. Nine high-priority programs have showed improvement over time, as indicated by decreasing error rates, while three others have reported no improvement in their error rates. The error rates for the eight remaining high-priority programs have increased since they were first reported. Without further progress in reducing the error rates among high-priority programs the government's total amount of improper payments may continue to exceed $100 billion per fiscal year, as it has since FY2009. Over the period of FY2004 through FY2017, highpriority improper payments have totaled $1.2 trillion and total improper payments have totaled $1.3 trillion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2018-07-16
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VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L.115-182) [November 1, 2018]
"Policymakers and other stakeholders may hold a variety of views regarding the appropriate role of the private sector in meeting the health care needs of eligible veterans. Some believe that the best course for veterans is to provide all needed care in facilities under the direct jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), healthcare system. On the other hand, some see the use of private sector providers as important in ensuring veterans' access to a comprehensive slate of services (in particular, to specialty services that are needed infrequently), or in addressing geographic or other access barriers, such as long wait times for an appointment. In addition, those who believe that all needed care should be provided by VA providers in VA-owned facilities express concern that private sector options for providing care to veterans may dilute the quality of care in the VA health care system, and could fail to leverage key strengths of the VA health care network."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Panangala, Sidath Viranga; Colello, Kirsten J.; Elliott, Victoria L. . . .
2018-11-01
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Improper Payments Legislation: Key Provisions, Implementation, and Selected Proposals in the 114th Congress [December 7, 2016]
As Congress searches for ways to generate savings, reduce the deficit, and fund federal programs, it has held hearings and passed legislation to prevent and recover improper payments. Improper payments-which exceeded $137 billion in FY2015-are payments made in an incorrect amount, payments that should not have been made at all, or payments made to an ineligible recipient or for an ineligible purpose. The total amount of improper payments may be even higher than reported because several agencies have yet to determine improper payment amounts for all of their programs. […] The Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015 (H.R. 4180/S. 2133) would require the OMB [Office of Management and Budget] to establish financial and administrative controls related to fraud and improper payments. Agencies would be required to include in their annual financial reports a discussion of their progress in implementing fraud risk guidance. OMB would also be required to establish a working group to improve the sharing of (1) best practices for mitigating fraud, and (2) effective data analytics techniques. The working group would also submit a plan to Congress for establishing an interagency library of data analytics and data sets, which would be used by federal agencies and IGs to facilitate the detection, prevention, and recovery of fraud, including improper payments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2016-12-07
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Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Act: Timeline and Funding [December 17, 2021]
From the Background: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care services through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for approximately 9.21 million enrolled veterans at 1,389 VA sites of care. [...] [A] new Commission on Care was established by VACAA [Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014] 'to examine the access of veterans to health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs and strategically examine how best to organize the [VHA], locate health resources, and deliver health care to veterans.' In its final report, it recommended that the VA 'develop and implement a robust strategy for meeting and managing VHA's facility and capital asset needs.' Within this context, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HVAC) began to examine VA's capital asset program in the summer of 2017. [...] Based on input and recommendations from various stakeholders, the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act (AIR Act) of 2017 (H.R. 4243) was introduced in the 115th Congress. [...] The remainder of this report provides an overview of the AIR Act (as Title II of the MISSION [Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks] Act was labeled) and then discusses in greater detail how recommendations for the modernization and realignment of VHA's real property portfolio are developed, approved (or disapproved), and implemented under the act. The report then provides data on VA real property funding FY2017- FY2022 and concludes with policy considerations related to real property data quality and portfolio decisions at VA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2021-12-17
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Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2011 Appropriations [June 14, 2011]
"The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 26 independent agencies. Among the independent agencies funded by the bill are the Small Business Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, and the United States Postal Service. The FSGG FY2010 appropriations were provided through P.L. 111-117, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010. P.L. 111-117 provided $46.265 billion for FSGG agencies in FY2010. In addition, P.L. 111-80 provided an additional $169 million for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission--which is under the jurisdiction of the FSGG Subcommittee in the Senate but not in the House--for a total of $46.434 billion for FSGG agencies in FY2010. […] On April 15, 2011, President Obama signed H.R. 1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, into law (P.L. 112-10). The bill provides FSGG agencies with $44.745 billion for FY2011, a decrease of $1.69 billion from FY2010 enacted levels and $3.47 billion less that the President's FY2011 request. FY2011 enacted figures may be revised when further details become available."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-06-14
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Financial Services and General Government (FSGG): FY2011 Appropriations [July 11, 2011]
"The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and 26 independent agencies. Among the independent agencies funded by the bill are the Small Business Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, and the United States Postal Service. The FSGG FY2010 appropriations were provided through P.L. 111-117, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010. P.L. 111-117 provided $46.265 billion for FSGG agencies in FY2010. In addition, P.L. 111-80 provided an additional $169 million for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission--which is under the jurisdiction of the FSGG Subcommittee in the Senate but not in the House--for a total of $46.434 billion for FSGG agencies in FY2010. On February 1, 2010, President Obama issued his FY2011 FSGG budget request for $48.219 billion, an increase of $1.785 billion over FY2010 appropriations. On July 29, 2010, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 3677, which would provide FSGG agencies with $48.296 billion for FY2011, an increase of $1.861 billion above FY2010 appropriations. On February 19, 2011, the House passed H.R. 1, which would provide FSGG agencies with $43.298 billion for FY2011, $3.136 billion below FY2010 enacted appropriations. On April 15, 2011, President Obama signed H.R. 1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, into law (P.L. 112-10). The bill provides FSGG agencies with $44.745 billion for FY2011, a decrease of $1.69 billion from FY2010 enacted levels and $3.47 billion less that the President's FY2011 request. FY2011 enacted figures may be revised when further details become available."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-07-11
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Disposal of Unneeded Federal Buildings: Legislative Proposals in the 112th Congress [August 6, 2012]
"Federal executive branch agencies hold an extensive real property portfolio that includes approximately 399,000 buildings. These assets have been acquired over a period of decades to help agencies fulfill their diverse missions. Agencies hold buildings with a range of uses, including offices, health clinics, warehouses, and laboratories. As agencies' missions change over time, so, too, do their real property needs, thereby rendering some assets less useful or unneeded altogether. Healthcare provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for example, has shifted in recent decades from predominately hospital-based inpatient care to a greater reliance on clinics and outpatient care, with a resulting change in space needs. Similarly, the Department of Defense (DOD) reduced its force structure by 36% after the Cold War ended, and has engaged in several rounds of base realignments and installation closures. Real property disposition is the process by which federal agencies identify and then transfer, donate, or sell real property they no longer need. Disposition is an important asset management function because the costs of maintaining unneeded properties can be substantial, consuming financial resources that might be applied to pressing real property needs, such as repairing existing facilities, or towards other pressing policy issues, such as reducing the national debt."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2012-08-06
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Financial Services and General Government: FY2012 Appropriations [September 19, 2011]
"The Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill includes funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and more than two dozen independent agencies. Among those independent agencies are the General Services Administration (GSA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is funded in the House through the Agriculture appropriations bill and in the Senate through the FSGG bill. CFTC funding is included in all FSGG funding tables in this report. […] On April 14, 2011, the House and the Senate passed H.R. 1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, which the President signed into law (P.L. 112- 10) the following day. The act provides $44.69 billion for FSGG agencies, including $203 million for the CFTC, for FY2011, a decrease of $1.74 billion below FY2010 enacted amounts. On July 7, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 2434, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2012. H.R. 2434 would provide $42.97 billion for agencies funded through the House FSGG Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition, the CFTC would receive $172 million through the FY2012 agriculture appropriations bill, H.R. 2112. Total FY2012 funding provided by the House would be $43.14 billion, about $5.58 billion below the President's FY2012 request and $1.55 billion less than FY2011 enacted amounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2011-09-19
