GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as terrorism, health care, homeland defense, and the 2010 Census. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Combating Terrorism: The United States Lacks Comprehensive Plan to Destroy the Terrorist Threat and Close the Safe Haven in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas. GAO-08-622, April 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-622
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08622high.pdf
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Pending Legislation Would Apply U.S. Immigration Law to the CNMI with a Transition Period. GAO-08-466, March 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-466
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08466high.pdf
• Freedom of Information Act: Agencies Are Making Progress in Reducing Backlog, but Additional Guidance Is Needed. GAO-08-344, March 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-344
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08344high.pdf
• Health-Care-Associated Infections in Hospitals: Leadership Needed from HHS to Prioritize Prevention Practices and Improve Data on These Infections. GAO-08-283, March 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-283
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08283high.pdf
• Highlights of a Forum Convened by the Comptroller General of the United States: Improving the Federal Government's Financial Management Systems. GAO-08-447SP, April 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-447SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08447sphigh.pdf
• Highlights of a Forum Convened by the Comptroller General of the United States: Strengthening the Use of Risk Management Principles in Homeland Security. GAO-08-627SP, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-627SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08627sphigh.pdf
• Homeland Defense: Steps Have Been Taken to Improve U.S. Northern Command's Coordination with States and the National Guard Bureau, but Gaps Remain. GAO-08-252, April 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-252
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08252high.pdf
• Homeland Defense: U.S. Northern Command Has Made Progress but Needs to Address Force Allocation, Readiness Tracking Gaps, and Other Issues. GAO-08-251, April 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-251
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08251high.pdf

Correspondence

• Defense Management: Observations on DOD's FY 2009 Budget Request for Corrosion Prevention and Control. GAO-08-663R, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-663R

Testimonies

• 2010 Census: Census at Critical Juncture for Implementing Risk Reduction Strategies, by Mathew Scire, director, strategic issues; and David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-685T, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-685T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08685thigh.pdf
• Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of April 15, 2008, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-677T, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-677T
• Defense Travel System: Overview of Prior Reported Challenges Faced by DOD in Implementation and Utilization, by McCoy Williams, managing director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-649T, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-649T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08649thigh.pdf
• Department of Defense: Observations on the National Industrial Security Program, by Ann Marie Calvaresi Barr, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-695T, April 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-695T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08695thigh.pdf
• Drinking Water: The District of Columbia and Communities Nationwide Face Serious Challenges in Their Efforts to Safeguard Water Supplies, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-687T, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-687T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08687thigh.pdf
• Health-Care-Associated Infections in Hospitals: Leadership Needed from HHS to Prioritize Prevention Practices and Improve Data on These Infections, by Cynthia A. Bascetta, director, health care, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-673T, April 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-673T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08673thigh.pdf
• Homeland Security: Federal Efforts Are Helping to Address Some Challenges Faced by State and Local Fusion Centers, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-636T, April 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-636T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08636thigh.pdf
• Humane Methods of Handling and Slaughter: Public Reporting on Violations Can Identify Enforcement Challenges and Enhance Transparency, by Lisa R. Shames, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-686T, April 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-686T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08686thigh.pdf
• Internal Revenue Service: Assessment of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, and James R. White, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Senate Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-620T, April 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-620T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08620thigh.pdf
• Transportation Security: Efforts to Strengthen Aviation and Surface Transportation Security Continue to Progress, but More Work Remains, by Cathleen A. Berrick, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-651T, April 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-651T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08651thigh.pdf

Presentation By The Acting Comptroller General

• "Working to Improve Accountability in an Evolving Environment," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the 2008 Maryland Association of CPAs' Government and Not-for-Profit Conference, in College Park, Maryland. GAO-08-720CG, April 18. [slides]
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08720cg.pdf