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 clean coal, Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), highway infrastructure, and Afghanistan Security. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Afghanistan Security: U.S. Programs to Further Reform Ministry of Interior and National Police Challenged by Lack of Military Personnel and Afghan Cooperation. GAO-09-280, March 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-280
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09280high.pdf
• Business Systems Modernization: Internal Revenue Service's Fiscal Year 2009 Expenditure Plan. GAO-09-281, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-281
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09281high.pdf
• Clean Coal: DOE's Decision to Restructure FutureGen Should Be Based on a Comprehensive Analysis of Costs, Benefits, and Risks. GAO-09-248, February 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-248
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09248high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Decisions Needed to Shape Army's Combat Systems for the Future. GAO-09-288, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-288
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09288high.pdf
• Highway Infrastructure: Federal Efforts to Strengthen Security Should Be Better Coordinated and Targeted on the Nation's Most Critical Highway Infrastructure. GAO-09-57, January 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-57
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0957high.pdf
• Highway Trust Fund: Improved Solvency Mechanisms and Communication Needed to Help Avoid Shortfalls in the Highway Account. GAO-09-316, February 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-316
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09316high.pdf
• Joint Strike Fighter: Accelerating Procurement before Completing Development Increases the Government's Financial Risk. GAO-09-303, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-303
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09303high.pdf
• Medicare: Improvements Needed to Address Improper Payments in Home Health. GAO-09-185, February 27
  http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09185.pdf
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09185high.pdf

Correspondence

• Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center: Clarifying Rationale for the Research and Development Funding Decisions Would Increase Accountability. GAO-09-339R, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09339r.pdf
• GSA Global Supply's Direct Vendor Delivery Proposal Addresses Declining Office Product Sales, but Annual Reviews May Be Needed to Monitor Impact on Small Business Participation. GAO-09-230R, February 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-230R
• Responses to Questions for the Record: February 11, 2009, Hearing on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009. GAO-09-467R, March 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-467R
• Ryan White CARE Act: Estimated Effect of Proposed Stop-Loss Provision on Urban Areas. GAO-09-472R, March 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-472R

Testimonies

• Clean Coal: DOE Should Prepare a Comprehensive Analysis of the Relative Costs, Benefits, and Risks of a Range of Options for FutureGen, by Mark Gaffigan, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-465T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-465T
  
• DOD's High Risk Areas: Actions Needed to Reduce Vulnerabilities and Improve Business Outcomes, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-09-460T, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-460T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09460thigh.pdf
• Forest Service: Emerging Issues Highlight the Need to Address Persistent Management Challenges, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-443T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-443T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09443thigh.pdf
• Information Technology: Challenges Remain for VA's Sharing of Electronic Health Records with DOD, by Valerie C. Melvin, director, information management and human capital issues, before the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-427T, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-427T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09427thigh.pdf
• National Cybersecurity Strategy: Key Improvements Are Needed to Strengthen the Nation's Posture, by David Powner, director, information technology management issues, before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-09-432T, March 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-432T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09432thigh.pdf
• Transportation Programs: Challenges Facing the Department of Transportation and Congress, by Katherine Siggerud, managing director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-435T, March 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-435T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09435thigh.pdf
• Troubled Asset Relief Program: Status of Efforts to Address Transparency and Accountability Issues, by Richard J. Hillman, managing director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-474T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-474T
• VA Health Care: Challenges in Budget Formulation and Execution, by Randall B. Williamson, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-09-459T, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-459T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09459thigh.pdf