Reports & Testimonies
GAO’s reports and testimonies give Congress, federal agencies, and the public timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can improve government operations and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
Most Recent Reports
81 - 100 of 58103 Reports
Released on
Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life: Agencies Can Improve Warm Handovers for Additional Assistance
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult for some service members as they may lose access to housing, pay, healthcare, and more. DOD provides certain at-risk service members with a person-to-person connection—known as a "warm handover"—to support agencies like VA. But DOD doesn't ensure that warm handovers take place. From April 2021-March 2023, more than 4,300 at-risk service members didn't receive this assistance...
Released on
Border Security: Border Patrol's Missing Migrant Program
U.S. Border Patrol's Missing Migrant Program helps rescue migrants in distress, prevent migrant deaths, and recover human remains along the southwest border. Border Patrol must submit annual reports to Congress on this issue, including data on migrant rescues and deaths. In April 2022, we found that Border Patrol hadn't collected, recorded, or reported to Congress complete data on migrant deaths. As of March 2024, the...
Weapons of Mass Destruction: DHS Has Made Progress in Some Areas, but Additional Improvements Are Needed
This testimony discusses DHS's work to combat chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats from weapons of mass destruction. For example, DHS's Securing the Cities program works with federal, state, and local partners to address radiological and nuclear threats by providing detection technologies, leading training, and more. In a recent report, we found that the agency hasn't clearly communicated to these partners how it plans to...
Nuclear Terrorism Prevention: DHS Has Strengthened the Securing the Cities Program, but Actions Are Needed to Address Key Remaining Challenges
The Department of Homeland Security's Securing the Cities program is trying to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks in high-risk urban areas. This program helps state and local agencies in 13 regions detect radiological and nuclear materials that could be used in such attacks—such as by funding the purchase of wearable radiation detectors for police officers. The agency regularly meets with the regions to check...
Released on
Spectrum IT Modernization: Incorporating Leading Practices Could Improve Planning Effort
The radio-frequency spectrum is vital to a variety of commercial and government activities—such as broadcast television and air traffic control. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration manages federal use of this spectrum, and it uses multiple IT systems to do so. The agency is working to modernize these IT systems. For example, it established a team to lead the effort, started market research, and identified...
Air Quality Sensors: Policy Options to Help Address Implementation Challenges
Portable, low-cost air quality sensors could identify pollution hot spots, improve wildfire smoke warnings, and provide air quality information in rural areas. Current sensors are accurate enough to accomplish these tasks for some pollutants, but more capabilities are still in development. Also, there are challenges to using these sensors. For example, users may not have access to the expertise and information they need to deploy...
Port Infrastructure: U.S. Ports Have Adopted Some Automation Technologies and Report Varied Effects
All 10 of the largest U.S. container ports are using some form of automation technology to process and handle cargo. At least 1 terminal at each port uses it to track and communicate container movements. Port operators consider factors like costs, profitability, priorities, and labor agreements when deciding whether to automate. Some port stakeholders said automation can improve worker safety, simplify tasks, and increase efficiency...
Information Technology: IRS Needs to Complete Planning and Improve Reporting for Its Modernization Programs
The Internal Revenue Service relies extensively on IT systems to collect taxes and distribute refunds. In August 2022, Congress appropriated tens of billions of dollars to the IRS, partly to help the agency modernize its IT systems. The IRS intends to use some of these funds to replace legacy IT systems, give taxpayers more online tools and services, and protect taxpayer privacy and security. However...
Released on
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL FOR GAO-24-106446: Strengthening Coordination and Monitoring of Autism Activities in the Federal Government
The National Institutes of Health helps coordinate federal agencies' activities that promote the health and well-being of people with autism. We reported that NIH has followed several practices to help these agencies work well together. But it could be doing more, and we recommend ways to help. This is an "Easy Read" version of our report. Easy Read is a way some groups make their...
Commercial Aviation: Key Lessons from COVID-19 Preparedness and Emergency Financial Assistance to the Industry
Airlines saw a dramatic, sudden decrease in passengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government responded—providing billions in financial assistance. What are the lessons learned from the assessment of this response? Our pandemic-related work and information from agencies and industry showed: Greater federal leadership in preparedness and disease mitigation research could better address future communicable disease threats while minimizing aviation disruptions Key lessons, such...
Released on
Medicaid Managed Care: Additional Federal Action Needed to Fully Leverage New Appeals and Grievances Data
Because states pay Medicaid managed care plans per enrollee—rather than per service—there can be financial incentives for plans to deny or limit needed services. As a safeguard, enrollees can appeal service denials and file grievances if dissatisfied. Starting in 2022, states were required to report some data on appeals and grievances to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services annually. But CMS's oversight is limited...
Surface Transportation: DOT Considers Multiple Factors when Choosing the Volpe Center to Conduct Research
The Department of Transportation funds research aimed at making the nation's transportation system safer and more efficient. DOT agencies, nonfederal entities, and the Volpe Center—DOT's fee-for-service innovation center—conduct research. Five DOT agencies committed a total of $50.5 million—13% of their total fiscal year 2022 research funding—to the Volpe Center. The remaining 87% went to universities, businesses, and other entities. DOT officials said they choose to...
Advanced Air Mobility: Legal Authorities and Issues to Consider for Operations
Advanced Air Mobility is an emerging aviation concept that will use new types of aircraft and technology, such as electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Before new aircraft can be used, the FAA needs to certify the designs and regulate how they are operated. In the near term, the FAA plans to use a combination of existing requirements—like air traffic control procedures—and...
Wildfire Disasters: Opportunities to Improve Federal Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Efforts
Wildfires are growing in size and severity, and the nation is experiencing longer wildfire seasons. In August 2023, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century was on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Numerous federal departments and agencies have roles in wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery. Demand for related federal programs and resources is expected to increase. We testified on: Our ongoing work looking...
Intellectual Property: Stronger Fraud Risk Management Could Improve the Integrity of the Trademark System
A trademark is a word, phrase, or symbol that identifies a product or service. Trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office must be tied to goods or services that are being sold. In recent years, an influx of applications included many trademarks that aren't in use. Registrations for such trademarks may include false or inaccurate claims and could be fraudulent. In 2022, USPTO...
Civilian Harm: DOD Should Take Actions to Enhance Its Plan for Mitigation and Response Efforts
In August 2022, the Department of Defense issued a plan to improve how it protects civilians from harm during U.S. military operations. DOD has worked to address the plan's 11 objectives, initially focusing on the 5 deemed most critical. For example, the Army is leading a DOD-wide study to see what personnel are needed to implement the plan. But DOD hasn't addressed 2 key challenges—DOD...
Central America: USAID Should Strengthen Staffing and Fraud Risk Management for Initiative Addressing Migration to the U.S.
In 2021, USAID announced Centroamérica Local, a 5-year, $300 million initiative that is empowering local organizations in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to address the root causes of migration to the U.S.—such as poverty, corruption, and violence. Our review of the initiative found: USAID's offices in the 3 countries asked for more staff but haven't yet gotten what they need USAID has taken steps to...
Defense Contracts: Better Monitoring Could Improve DOD's Management of Award Lead Times
Before awarding contracts, the government needs time for tasks like evaluating proposals and negotiating to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely. That priority is balanced with the need to deliver goods and services quickly. The Department of Defense is working to reduce the time needed for awarding contracts. Award lead times can be a good indicator of contract timeliness. Over the last 4 years, DOD...
Released on
Grants: AmeriCorps Should Take Multiple Actions to Better Manage Fraud Risks
AmeriCorps funds grants—over $900 million in FY 2023—for volunteer and national service programs to address a range of community needs across the country. These grants support projects in areas like disaster recovery, educational support, and environmental stewardship. AmeriCorps has taken some steps to manage potential fraud in its grant programs, such as developing training on what fraud might look like. But it hasn't considered the...
Freedom of Information Act: Additional Guidance and Reliable Data Can Help Address Agency Backlogs
The Freedom of Information Act requires federal agencies to provide public access to government information. Agencies generally must process FOIA requests within 20 working days, but the government-wide backlog of requests grew over the last decade. Agency FOIA officers cited factors such as staffing challenges and complex requests as contributing to backlogs. The Justice Department, which helps agencies administer FOIA, could improve its backlog guidance...