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 arts education, the tax gap, hiring and retaining older workers, and the Whistleblower Protection Program. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Access to Arts Education: Inclusion of Additional Questions in Education's Planned Research Would Help Explain Why Instruction Time Has Decreased for Some Students. GAO-09-286, February 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-286
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09286high.pdf
• Bureau of Prisons: Written Policies on Lateral Transfers and Assessment of Temporary Assignments Needed. GAO-09-141, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-141
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09141high.pdf
  
• Excluded Parties List System: Suspended and Debarred Businesses and Individuals Improperly Receive Federal Funds. GAO-09-174, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-174
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09174high.pdf
• Federal Land Management: Observations on a Possible Move of the Forest Service into the Department of the Interior. GAO-09-223, February 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-223
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09223high.pdf
• Financial Audit: American Battle Monuments Commission's Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2007. GAO-09-293, February 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-293
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09293high.pdf
• Nonprofit Sector: Significant Federal Funds Reach the Sector through Various Mechanisms, but More Complete and Reliable Funding Data Are Needed. GAO-09-193, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-193
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09193high.pdf
• Older Workers: Enhanced Communication among Federal Agencies Could Improve Strategies for Hiring and Retaining Experienced Workers. GAO-09-206, February 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-206
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09206high.pdf
• Securing, Stabilizing, and Developing Pakistan's Border Area with Afghanistan: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight. GAO-09-263SP, February 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-263SP
• Tax Gap: IRS Could Do More to Promote Compliance by Third Parties with Miscellaneous Income Reporting Requirements. GAO-09-238, January 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-238
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09238high.pdf
• Whistleblower Protection Program: Better Data and Improved Oversight Would Help Ensure Program Quality and Consistency. GAO-09-106, January 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-106
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09106high.pdf

Correspondence

• Defense Acquisitions: Perspectives on Potential Changes to Department of Defense Acquisition Management Framework. GAO-09-295R. February 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-295R
• NASA Workforce: Responses to Follow-up Questions regarding the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Use of Term Appointments. GAO-09-356R, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-356R
• Overseas U.S. Government Personnel Involved in Efforts to Protect and Enforce Intellectual Property Rights. GAO-09-402R, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-402R

Testimonies

• Chemical Regulation: Options for Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Toxic Substances Control Act, by John Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-09-428T, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-428T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09428thigh.pdf
• Climate Change Science: High Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data are a Cornerstone of Programs to Address Climate Change, by John Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-423T, February 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-423T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09423thigh.pdf
  
• Defense Acquisitions: Charting a Course for Improved Missile Defense Testing, by Paul Francis, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-403T, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-403T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09403thigh.pdf
• Excluded Parties List System: Suspended and Debarred Businesses and Individuals Improperly Receive Federal Funds, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-419T, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-419T
• Federal Land Management: Potential Effects and Factors to Consider in a Move of the Forest Service into the Department of the Interior, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-412T, February 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-412T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09412thigh.pdf
• Hardrock Mining: Information on Types of State Royalties, Number of Abandoned Mines, and Financial Assurances on BLM Land, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-09-429T, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-429T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09429thigh.pdf
• Veterinarian Workforce: The Federal Government Lacks a Comprehensive Understanding of Its Capacity to Protect Animal and Public Health, by Lisa R. Shames, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-09-424T, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-424T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09424thigh.pdf
• Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-09-417T, February 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-417T
• Workforce Investment Act: Labor Has Made Progress in Addressing Areas of Concern, but More Focus Needed on Understanding What Works and What Doesn't, by George A. Scott, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-09-396T, February 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-396T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09396thigh.pdf