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 hedge funds, financial management, information security, and graduate medical education. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Financial Management: Achieving Financial Statement Auditability in the Department of Defense. GAO-09-373, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-373
• Financial Management Systems: OMB's Financial Management Line of Business Initiative Continues but Future Success Remains Uncertain. GAO-09-328, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-328
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09328high.pdf
• Global Positioning System: Significant Challenges in Sustaining and Upgrading Widely Used Capabilities. GAO-09-325, April 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-325
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09325high.pdf
• Insurance Reciprocity and Uniformity: NAIC and State Regulators Have Made Progress in Producer Licensing, Product Approval, and Market Conduct Regulation, but Challenges Remain. GAO-09-372, April 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-372
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09372high.pdf
• Military Personnel: Army Needs to Focus on Cost-Effective Use of Financial Incentives and Quality Standards in Managing Force Growth. GAO-09-256, May 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-256
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09256high.pdf
  
• Securities and Exchange Commission: Greater Attention Needed to Enhance Communication and Utilization of Resources in the Division of Enforcement. GAO-09-358, March 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-358
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09358high.pdf
• U.S. Postal Service: Intelligent Mail Benefits May Not Be Achieved if Key Risks Are Not Addressed. GAO-09-599, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-599
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09599high.pdf

Correspondence

• Statutory Authorities to Prohibit Inspector General Activities. GAO-09-660R, May 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-660R
• Tax Administration: Possible Implications of Expanding Refund Offset Provisions. GAO-09-571R, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-571R
  

Testimonies

• Architect of the Capitol: Plans for Renovating the Cannon House Office Building and Garages, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the House Committee on House Administration. GAO-09-673T, May 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-673T
• Global Positioning System: Significant Challenges in Sustaining and Upgrading Widely Used Capabilities, by Cristina T. Chaplain, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-09-670T, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-670T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09670thigh.pdf
• Graduate Medical Education: Trends in Training and Student Debt. GAO-09-438R, May 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-438R
  
• Hedge Funds: Overview of Regulatory Oversight, Counterparty Risks, and Investment Challenges, by Orice M. Williams, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, House Committee on Financial Services. GAO-09-677T, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-677T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09677thigh.pdf
• Information Security: Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities Place Federal Systems at Risk, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform GAO-09-661T, May 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-661T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09661thigh.pdf
• Recovery Act: GAO's Efforts to Work with the Accountability Community to Help Ensure Effective and Efficient Oversight, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-09-672T, May 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-672T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09672thigh.pdf
  
• Securities and Exchange Commission: Greater Attention Is Needed to Enhance Communication and Utilization of Resources in the Division of Enforcement, by Richard J. Hillman, managing director, financial markets and community investment, before the Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. GAO-09-613T, May 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-613T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09613thigh.pdf
• State Department: Significant Vulnerabilities in the Passport Issuance Process, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Senate Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-09-681T, May 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-681T