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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 4435, Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as reported by the House Committee on Armed Services on May 13, 2014. From the Summary: "H.R. 4435 would authorize appropriations totaling $594 billion for fiscal year 2015 for the military functions of the Department of Defense (DoD), for certain activities of the Department of Energy (DOE), and for other purposes. That total includes $79 billion for the cost of overseas contingency operations, primarily in Afghanistan. In addition, H.R. 4435 would prescribe personnel strengths for each active-duty and selected-reserve component of the U.S. armed forces. CBO estimates that appropriation of the authorized amounts would result in outlays of $581 billion over the 2015-2019 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2014-05-16
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1045, A Bill to Amend Title 5, United States Code, to Provide that Persons Having Seriously Delinquent Tax Debts Shall Be Ineligible for Federal Employment
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on May 21, 2014. From the Document: "Under S. 1045, individuals with federal tax debt that is seriously delinquent would be ineligible to be appointed or to continue serving as an employee of the federal government. The legislation defines tax debt to be seriously delinquent if a public lien has been filed. Tax debt that is being repaid in a timely manner, is part of a requested or pending collection-due-process hearing, or whose repayment the Department of Treasury determines would cause financial hardship, would not be considered seriously delinquent. Federal agencies would be required to have job applicants certify that they do not have such debt. Current federal employees would have 150 days after receiving their outstanding debt notice to enter into agreements to resolve their debt in order to remain eligible for continued employment. Based on information from the Office of Management and Budget, the Internal Revenue Service, and staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), CBO estimates that implementing S. 1045 would cost less than $500,000 annually, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, mostly to create and administer certification forms."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2014-06-05
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Letter from CBO Director Douglas W. Elmendorf to Honorable Bill Shuster Regarding [H.R. 3080, Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014] [May 19, 2014]
This CBO (Congressional Budget Office) Cost Estimate is addressed to the Honorable Bill Shuster, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "As you requested, CBO has prepared a cost estimate for the conference agreement on H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, as posted on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's website on May 15, 2014. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to construct water projects to mitigate storm and hurricane damage, restore ecosystems, and improve flood management. The legislation also would authorize the Corps to assist state and local governments with levee safety programs and to assist Indian tribes with water resources projects. Finally, the legislation would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide loans or loan guarantees to state and local governments and certain nongovernmental entities to complete water infrastructure projects. […] Based on information from the Corps and EPA, and assuming the appropriation of the specified and necessary amounts, including adjustments for anticipated increases in construction costs, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $5.4 billion over the 2015-2019 period. CBO estimates that spending over the 2020-2024 period would total $6.9 billion, with additional spending continuing for many years after 2024."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
Elmendorf, Douglas W.
2014-05-19
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Building a 21st-Century Infrastructure for America: Challenges and Opportunities for Intercity Passenger Rail Service, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, June 22, 2017
This is the June 22, 2017 hearing on "Building a 21st-Century Infrastructure for America: Challenges and Opportunities for Intercity Passenger Rail Service," held before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the Summary of Subject Matter: "The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, will meet [...] to receive testimony related to 'Building a 21' Century Infrastructure for America: Challenges and Opportunities for Intercity Passenger Rail Service'. The Subcommittee will hear testimony from the Federal Railroad Administration; Amtrak; representatives of two high-speed rail initiatives, All Aboard Florida and the California High-Speed Rail Authority; and John Porcari, former United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation and interim executive director of the Gateway Program Development Corporation, an organization formed to facilitate a program of rail projects in northern New Jersey and New York City." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Paul Nissenbaum, Charles W. ''Wick'' Moorman IV, John D. Porcari, P. Michael Reininger, Dan Richard.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017
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Aviation Security (Focusing on Training and Retention of Screeners): Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Sixth Congress, Second Session, March 16, 2000
From the opening statement of John J. Duncan Jr.: "Today's topic is aviation security, with a particular focus on the screeners who check our luggage. Some time ago, I had the opportunity to tour the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] tech center in New Jersey with Congressman LoBiondo and Administrator Garvey. While on the tour, we spent some time meeting with those who worked on and developed new technology for aviation security. We were told of many new developments in aviation security technology; however, we also learned that in many cases it is very difficult to train screeners to operate this new equipment, and those who did learn to use it often left for another job soon thereafter. There is such a high degree of turnover that it is becoming very difficult to find people to perform the work. The FAA has spent at least $145 million purchasing sophisticated machines to screen checked baggage; however, in 1999 the average number of bags checked or screened ranged from 234 to 275 per day per machine. This raises a serious question as to whether taxpayers are getting their money's worth in the development of these very expensive machines. […] It has been reported that the turnover rate in some cities runs as high as 400 percent a year. I have seen various figures---300 percent, 400 percent. One figure I saw said an average of 170 percent. So there are varied figures, but it is an extremely high turnover rate." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Gerald L. Dillingham, Richard J. Doubrava, Cathal Flynn, Bill Gilchrist, Thomas S. Hartwick, Cherif Rizkalla, Alexis M. Stefani, Thomas M. Vaiden, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Steven T. Oberstar, Louise M. Slaughter, Deepak Chopra, Thomas J. Schroeder, Bill LaMacchia Jr., and Rodney E. Slater.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
2000-03-16
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Air Traffic Control Modernization: Progress and Challenges in Implementing Nextgen, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] is leading the implementation of NextGen, which is designed to transition the nation's ground-based air traffic control system to one that uses satellite navigation, automated position reporting, and digital communications. Planning for NextGen began in 2003 and in 2007 the effort was estimated to cost between $29 and $42 billion by 2025. NextGen is intended to increase air transportation system capacity, enhance airspace safety, reduce delays, save fuel, and reduce adverse environmental effects from aviation. Given the cost, complexity, and length of the project, GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review FAA's NextGen implementation efforts. This report examines: 1) how FAA has implemented NextGen and addressed implementation challenges; and 2) the challenges, if any, that remain for implementing NextGen, and FAA's actions to mitigate those challenges. GAO reviewed FAA documents, advisory group reports, and NextGenrelated recommendations made to FAA by GAO and others. GAO interviewed a non-generalizable sample of 34 U.S. aviation industry stakeholders, including airlines, airports, aviation experts and research organizations, among others, to obtain their views on NextGen challenges and FAA's efforts to address them. Stakeholders were selected based on GAO's knowledge of the aviation industry and includes those that have made NextGen-related recommendations to FAA, among other things. GAO also interviewed FAA officials regarding NextGen implementation and stakeholders' views."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-08
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Navy Readiness: Actions Needed to Maintain Viable Surge Sealift and Combat Logistics Fleets, Report to Congressional Committees
From the highlights section within the document: "Military Sealift Command ships perform a wide variety of support services and missions, including transporting military equipment and supplies in the event of a major contingency (performed by the surge sealift fleet) and replenishing fuel and provisions for U.S. Navy ships at sea (performed by the combat logistics force). An aging surge sealift fleet in which some ships are more than 50 years old, and a combat logistics force tasked with supporting more widely distributed operations (i.e., the employment of ships in dispersed formations across a wider expanse of territory), present several force structure and readiness challenges. House Report 114-537 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess the readiness of the Military Sealift Command. This report (1) describes the readiness trends of the surge sealift and combat logistics fleets since 2012, (2) evaluates the extent to which the Navy has plans to address an aging surge sealift fleet, and (3) evaluates the extent to which the Navy has assessed the effects of widely distributed operations on the combat logistics force. GAO analyzed 3 to 5 years of readiness, maintenance, and exercise data, based on available data; visited surge sealift and logistics ships; and interviewed Navy, U.S. Transportation Command, and Maritime Administration officials. [...] GAO recommends that the Navy incorporate leading practices for capital planning in a comprehensive sealift recapitalization plan and assess the effects of widely distributed operations on the combat logistics force. The Navy concurred with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-08
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Aviation Security: TSA Has Made Progress Implementing Requirements in the Aviation Security Act of 2016, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Recent incidents involving aviation workers conducting criminal activity in the nation's commercial airports have led to interest in the measures TSA and airport operators use to control access to secure areas of airports. The 2016 ASA [Aviation Security Act] required TSA to take several actions related to oversight of access control security at airports. The Act also contains a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on progress made by TSA. This report examines, among other issues, progress TSA has made in addressing the applicable requirements of the 2016 ASA. GAO compared information obtained from TSA policies, reports, and interviews with TSA officials to the requirements in the 2016 ASA. GAO also visited three airports to observe their use of access controls and interviewed TSA personnel. The non-generalizable group of airports was selected to reflect different types of access control measures and airport categories. GAO is not making any recommendations. In its formal response, DHS stated that it continues to implement the 2016 ASA requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-09
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Transportation Security Administration: After Oversight Lapses, Compliance with Policy Governing Special Authority Has Been Strengthened, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "TSA is responsible for securing the nation's transportation systems and uses security technologies to screen airline passengers and their luggage to prevent prohibited items from being carried on commercial aircraft. TSA has special authority for using OTAs [other transaction agreements], which are not subject to certain federal contract laws and requirements. OTAs provide flexibility to help meet mission needs, but potentially carry the risk of reduced accountability and transparency. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine TSA's use of OTAs. This report addresses: (1) the extent and purposes of TSA's use of OTAs, and (2) how TSA ensures prices are reasonable and how it oversees OTAs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-12
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Aviation Security, TSA's Efforts to Assess Foreign Airports and Inspect Air Carriers, Statement of Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Approximately 300 foreign airports offer last point of departure flights to the United States. TSA is the federal agency with primary responsibility for securing the nation's civil aviation system and assesses foreign airports and inspects air carriers to ensure they have effective security measures in place. While TSA is authorized under U.S. law to conduct foreign airport assessments, it does not have authority to impose or otherwise enforce security requirements at foreign airports. In contrast, TSA does have authority to impose and enforce requirements on air carriers. This statement summarizes key preliminary findings from GAO's [Government Accountability Office] draft report on (1) steps TSA has taken to enhance foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections since 2011 and (2) steps TSA takes to address any deficiencies identified during foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections. To develop the draft report, GAO reviewed TSA program data, interviewed TSA officials, and conducted site visits to TSA field locations that manage foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Grover, Jennifer
2017-09-26
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TSA Modernization: Use of Sound Program Management and Oversight Practices Is Needed to Avoid Repeating Past Problems, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "TSA conducts security threat assessment screening and credentialing activities for millions of workers and travelers in the maritime, surface, and aviation transportation industries that are seeking access to transportation systems. In 2008, TSA initiated the TIM [Technology Infrastructure Modernization] program to enhance the sophistication of its security threat assessments and to improve the capacity of its supporting systems. However, the program experienced significant cost and schedule overruns, and performance issues, and was suspended in January 2015 while TSA established a new strategy. The program was rebaselined in September 2016 and is estimated to cost approximately $1.27 billion and be fully operational by 2021 (about $639 million more and 6 years later than originally planned). GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the TIM program's new strategy. This report determined, among other things, the extent to which (1) TSA implemented selected key practices for transitioning to Agile software development for the program; and (2) TSA and DHS are effectively overseeing the program's cost, schedule, and performance. GAO compared program documentation to key practices identified by the Software Engineering Institute and the Office of Management and Budget, as being critical to transitioning to Agile and for overseeing and governing programs."
United States. General Accounting Office
2017-10
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Aviation Security: Actions Needed to Systematically Evaluate Cost and Effectiveness Across Security Countermeasures, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, TSA [Transportation Security Administration] has spent billions of dollars on aviation security programs. However, recent attacks involving aircraft and airports in other countries underscore the continued threat to aviation and the need for an effective aviation security program. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review TSA's passenger aviation security countermeasures. This report examines the extent to which TSA has (1) information on the effectiveness of selected passenger aviation security countermeasures and (2) systematically analyzed the cost and effectiveness tradeoffs among countermeasures. GAO reviewed TSA documentation on the effectiveness of six passenger aviation security countermeasures in fiscal year 2015--the most recent year for which data were available. GAO selected these countermeasures because they involve direct interaction with passengers, their belongings, or their personal information, and are largely operated and funded by TSA. GAO also reviewed TSA documents and interviewed TSA officials regarding efforts to systematically analyze cost and effectiveness tradeoffs across countermeasures. [...] GAO recommends that TSA (1) explore and pursue methods to assess the deterrent effect of TSA's passenger aviation security countermeasures, with FAMS [U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service] as a top priority to address, and (2) systematically evaluate the potential cost and effectiveness tradeoffs across aviation security countermeasures. DHS concurred with these recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-09
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: Estimated Budgetary Effects of the Bipartisan COVID Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Appropriations on April 4, 2022. From the Document: "Title I of the legislation would provide funding for federal agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Title II would rescind or repurpose about $10,465 million in unobligated balances from a variety of accounts and specify requirements for the budgetary treatment of section 1206 and sections 1209 through 1211. In keeping with those requirements, and at the direction of the Senate Committee on the Budget, those four sections are considered authorizing legislation rather than appropriation legislation. As a result, the estimated budgetary effects of section 1206 and sections 1209 through 1211 are subject to pay-as-you-go procedures. However, section 1206 also requires the estimated budgetary effects stemming from that section to be excluded from the pay-as-you-go scorecards maintained by the Senate and the Office of Management and Budget."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2022-04-04
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Fact Sheet: Advancing U.S. Interests at the United Nations, September 20, 2011
This October 4, 2011 White House press release is a fact sheet on advancing U.S. interests at the United Nations (UN). The fact sheet includes information on the following: "Nuclear Non-Proliferation"; "UN Security Council Resolution 1887"; "Iran"; "North Korea"; "NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] Review Conference"; "UN Security Council Resolution 1977"; "Bolstering Progress in Afghanistan and Iraq"; "Afghanistan"; "Iraq"; "Promoting American Values"; "Protecting Civilians in Libya"; "Horn of Africa Famine"; "Defending Israel"; "Strengthening UN Peacekeeping and Conflict Prevention Efforts"; "Improving Peacekeeping Effectiveness"; "Haiti"; "Liberia"; "Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)"; "Ivory Coast"; "Eritrea"; and "Protecting and Empowering Woman and Girls".
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-09-20
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Historic Deal that Will Prevent Iran from Acquiring a Nuclear Weapon: How the U.S. and the International Community Will Block All of Iran's Pathways to a Nuclear Weapon [Obama Administration White House Archives]
This is the archived version of the Obama Administration's website section on the Iran Deal. From the Website: "President Obama has been clear that achieving a peaceful resolution that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon will make the United States, our allies, and our world safer. When President Obama took office he underscored that the United States was prepared to resolve this issue diplomatically -- but only if Iran came to the table in a serious way. When that did not happen, we rallied the world to impose the toughest sanctions in history--sanctions that had a profound impact on the Iranian economy. Sanctions alone could not stop Iran's nuclear program. But they did help bring Iran to the negotiating table. Because of our diplomatic efforts, the world stood with us, and we were joined at the negotiating table by the world's major powers -- the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China, as well as the European Union. The goal: Reaching a long-term diplomatic resolution that verifiably prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. In November 2013, the P5+1 [UN Security Council's five permanent members; namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States; plus Germany] and Iran took an important first step toward that goal with the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which halted the progress of Iran's program and rolled back it back in key areas for the first time in nearly a decade. The IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] has verified that Iran has met all of its obligations under the JPOA. Today, after many months of principled diplomacy building on the JPOA, we have achieved a framework for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)."
United States. White House Office
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Fact Sheet: East Asia Summit Outcomes, November 21, 2012
This December 11, 2012 White House fact sheet provides information on the East Asia Summit (EAS) that was held on November 20 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Issues such as health, nonproliferation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are addressed in the fact sheet.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2012-11-21
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Statement by the President on Indonesia's Ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, December 6, 2011
This White House press release highlights Indonesia's ratification of the Comprehensive Test Bank Treaty (CTBT), which is a positive step towards weapons of mass destruction nonproliferation. President Obama urged all states to sign and ratify the agreement and said that the United States remains committed to pursuing the ratification of the CTBT.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
Obama, Barack
2011-12-06
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President Bush Recaps Important Week in Weekly Radio Address [November 9, 2002]
This is a radio address of President Bush to the nation. Bush announces the United Nations Security Council voted for a resolution requiring the Iraqi regime to declare and destroy all weapons of mass destruction or face the consequences. Bush also discusses need to create a unified Department of Homeland Security.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-
2002-11-09
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Statements by the Co-Chairmen of the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction [February 6, 2004]
On February 6, 2004, the White House issued this release on the statements by the Co-Chairmen of the Commission on the intelligence capabilities of the United States regarding weapons of mass destruction. Included is a statement by Judge Laurence Silberman.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2004-02-06
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Fact Sheet: Implementing Missile Defense in Europe, September 15, 2011
This September 15, 2011 White House press release is a fact sheet on the implementation of a missile defense in Europe. The fact sheet includes information on four phases of the European Phased Adaptive approach (EPAA) and what progress has been made to meet those goals set forth by the President.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-09-15
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Fact Sheet on the Successful Conclusion of the Seventh Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, December 23, 2011
This White House press release is a fact sheet on the Seventh Review Conference (RevCon) of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). The fact sheet has two sections: "Advancing the National Strategy" and "Building Confidence in Compliance".
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2011-12-23
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Countering Improvised Explosive Devices
Signed on February 26, 2013 by President Barack Obama, this document discusses the way ahead for combating the threat of the improvised explosive device (IED). "Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) remain one of the most accessible weapons available to terrorists and criminals to damage critical infrastructure and inflict casualties, as was demonstrated in the attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 on December 25, 2009, the October 2010 air cargo plot, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The tactics used in IED attacks continue to evolve as our adversaries seek to overcome countermeasures. This Administration is expanding and broadening its counter-IED focus, building upon existing policy and strategy, which establish and implement measures to discover, prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate IED attacks and their consequences at home or abroad."
United States. White House Office
2013-02-26
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Fact Sheet on the President's Export Control Reform Initiative [April 20, 2010]
From the Document: "Earlier today [April 20, 2010], Secretary of Defense Robert Gates discussed the Administration's interagency review of the U.S. export control system, which calls for fundamental reform of the current system in order to enhance U.S. national security and strengthen our ability to counter threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. [An] assessment was conducted by an interagency task force created at the direction of the President and included all departments and agencies with roles in export controls. The assessment found that the current U.S. export control system does not sufficiently reduce national security risk based on the fact that its structure is overly complicated, contains too many redundancies, and tries to protect too much." This press release discusses the current export control system and the proposed reforms the Obama administration hopes to make.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2010-04-20
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National Security Decision Directive 23: US Civil Defense Policy
National Security Decision Directive 23 sets forth US Civil Defense policy. "Civil Defense, along with and effective Continuity of Government program, emergency mobilization and secure, reconstitutable telecommunications systems, is an essential ingredient of our nuclear deterrent forces. It is a matter of national priority that the US have a Civil Defense program which provides for the survival of the US population even in a protracted general war involving nuclear destruction in the United States."
United States. White House Office
1982-02-03
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National Security Decision Directive 172: Presenting the Strategic Defense Initiative
National Security Decision Directive 172 "details the manner in which the Strategic Defense Initiative program should be presented to ensure public, allied, and congressional support of research program."
United States. White House Office
1985-05-30
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Press Briefing to Preview the Nuclear Security Summit by Gary Samore, White House Coordinator for WMD Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control, and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications [April 9, 2010]
This press release from April 9, 2010 given by Gary Samore, White House Coordinator for WMD [weapons of mass destruction] Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control, and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, for the purpose of previewing the Nuclear Security Summit. The brief outlines the schedule of events and the issues to be discussed during the week of the Summit.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
2010-04-09
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Joint Statement by President Rouseff and President Obama [March 19, 2011]
This March 19, 2011 joint statement by President Obama and President of Brazil Dilma Rouseff describes the global partnership of the United States and Brazil. Topics include: the economy, trade, investment, G20 [Group of Twenty], and the Doha Round; energy, environment, climate change, and sustainable development; democracy, human rights, racial equality, and social inclusion; education, health, and culture; science, technology, innovation, and space cooperation; defense, disarmament, nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy; communities abroad; cooperation in third countries; Haiti; and the Organization of American States, Summit of the Americas, the Southern Cone Market, and the Union of South American Nations.
United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary
Obama, Barack
2011-03-19
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Report on the Legal and Policy Frameworks Guiding the United States' Use of Military Force and Related National Security Operations
From the foreword by President Barack Obama: "Decisions regarding war and peace are among the most important any President faces. It is critical, therefore, that such decisions are made pursuant to a policy and legal framework that affords clear guidance internally, reduces the risk of an ill-considered decision, and enables the disclosure of as much information as possible to the public, consistent with national security and the proper functioning of the Government, so that an informed public can scrutinize our actions and hold us to account. [...] It describes, among other things, how my Administration has ensured that our uses of force overseas are supported by a solid domestic law framework and consistent with an international legal framework predicated on the concepts of sovereignty and self-defense embedded in the United Nations Charter. And it describes how the United States has applied rules, practices, and policies long used in traditional warfare to this new type of conflict. [...] In conjunction with the release of this report, I am issuing a Presidential Memorandum that encourages future Administrations to build on this report and carry forward the principles of transparency it represents. In particular, the memorandum states that the National Security Council staff shall be asked, as appropriate, to update the report at least on an annual basis and to arrange for the report to be released to the public."
United States. White House Office
2016-12
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Aviation Research and Development: FAA Could Improve How It Develops Its Porfolio and Reports Its Activites, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The federal government conducts aviation R&D [research and development] to advance U.S. technological leadership, foster a dynamic aerospace industry, and improve the safety of the civil aviation system. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review FAA's [Federal Aviation Administration] management of its R&D portfolio, including the extent to which FAA's R&D is structured and operated to achieve its mission. This report addresses (1) the extent to which FAA's management of its R&D portfolio follows requirements, guidance and leading practices, (2) the extent to which FAA and NASA coordinate on their R&D activities, and (3) how FAA cooperates with the private sector on R&D. GAO compared FAA's R&D management activities from 2012 through 2016 against applicable statutory requirements, agency guidance and leading practices drawn from literature on R&D management and collaboration, including past GAO reports. GAO met with FAA and NASA and aviation stakeholders, including three private companies, to discuss R&D coordination. GAO selected stakeholders based partly on the size and extent of their R&D activities. [...] GAO recommends that the Secretary of the DOT require the FAA Administrator to: (1) identify long-term R&D research priorities, (2) disclose how projects are selected, and (3) ensure that the 'NARP [National Aviation Research Plan] and R&D Annual Reviews' meet statutory requirements for content. DOT concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-04-24
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Highway Bridges: Major Projects Present Challenges for States, but Strategies Exist to Overcome Them, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Over 600,000 bridges carry the nation's passenger car, bus and commercial vehicle traffic over waterways, highways, and railways. Large bridges are typically located on heavily used highways and some are in need of repair or replacement, which can be resource intensive. In addition, the nation's surface transportation system is under growing strain and funding it is on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] High Risk list. GAO was asked to review major bridge projects. This report examines (1) condition trends over the past 10 years for the nation's large bridges and (2) challenges states reported facing in constructing or completing major bridge projects in the past 5 years, as well as state and FHWA strategies to address those challenges. GAO analyzed federal bridge data for the top 1 percent of bridges defined by deck area and surveyed transportation departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to identify recent and ongoing major bridge projects. For those states identifying applicable major bridge projects, the survey asked for further information on challenges faced. GAO also conducted interviews with federal and state transportation officials involved with 8 projects in 5 states, selected to include various design and contracting methods, among other criteria. GAO provided a draft of this report to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for comment. DOT provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2017-07
