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 confirmation of political appointees, wildland fire management, and federal farm programs. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Confirmation of Political Appointees: Eliciting Nominees' Views on Management Challenges within Agencies and across Government. GAO-09-194, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-194
• Federal Farm Programs: USDA Needs to Strengthen Controls to Prevent Payments to Individuals Who Exceed Income Eligibility Limits. GAO-09-67, October 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-67
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0967high.pdf
• Foreign Assistance: Continued Efforts Needed to Strengthen USAID's Oversight of U.S. Democracy Assistance for Cuba. GAO-09-165, November 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-165
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09165high.pdf
  
• Human Capital: Diversity in the Federal SES And Processes for Selecting New Executives. GAO-09-110, November 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-110
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09110high.pdf
• Northern Border Security: DHS's Report Could Better Inform Congress by Identifying Actions, Resources, and Time Frames Needed to Address Vulnerabilities. GAO-09-93, November 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-93
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0993high.pdf
• Wildland Fire Management: Interagency Budget Tool Needs Further Development to Fully Meet Key Objectives. GAO-09-68, November 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-68
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0968high.pdf

Correspondence

• Defense Management: Preliminary Observations on DOD's Plans for Developing Language and Cultural Awareness Capabilities. GAO-09-176R, November 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-176R