GAO Reports and Releases

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

Reports

• Tax Debt Collection: IRS Needs to Better Manage the Collection Notices Sent to Individuals. GAO-09-976, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-976
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09976high.pdf
• Black Lung Benefits Program: Administrative and Structural Changes Could Improve Miners' Ability to Pursue Claims. GAO-10-7, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-7
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d107high.pdf
• Federal Energy Management: Agencies Are Taking Steps to Meet High-Performance Federal Building Requirements, but Face Challenges. GAO-10-22, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-22
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1022high.pdf
• Fire Grants: FEMA Has Met Most Requirements for Awarding Fire Grants, but Additional Actions Would Improve Its Grant Process. GAO-10-64, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-64
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1064high.pdf
• Valles Caldera: The Trust Has Made Progress but Faces Significant Challenges to Achieve Goals of the Preservation Act. GAO-10-84, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-84
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1084high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Challenges in Aligning Space System Components. GAO-10-55, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-55
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1055high.pdf
• Contract Management: Extent of Federal Spending under Cost-Reimbursement Contracts Unclear and Key Controls Not Always Used. GAO-09-921, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-921
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09921high.pdf
• Information Security: Concerted Effort Needed to Improve Federal Performance Measures. GAO-09-617, September 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-617
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09617high.pdf
• Federal Student Aid: Highlights of a Study Group on Simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. GAO-10-29, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-29
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1029high.pdf
• School Facilities: Physical Conditions in School Districts Receiving Impact Aid for Students Residing on Indian Lands. GAO-10-32, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-32
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1032high.pdf
• Aviation Security: DHS and TSA Have Researched, Developed, and Begun Deploying Passenger Checkpoint Screening Technologies, but Continue to Face Challenges. GAO-10-128, October 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-128
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10128high.pdf
• Public Transportation: Federal Project Approval Process Remains a Barrier to Greater Private Sector Role and DOT Could Enhance Efforts to Assist Project Sponsors. GAO-10-19, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-19
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1019high.pdf
• Warfighter Support: Actions Needed to Improve Visibility and Coordination of DOD's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Efforts. GAO-10-95, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-95
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1095high.pdf
• Formerly Used Defense Sites: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Needs to Improve Its Process for Reviewing Completed Cleanup Remedies to Ensure Continued Protection. GAO-10-46, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-46
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1046high.pdf
• Higher Education and Disability: Education Needs a Coordinated Approach to Improve Its Assistance to Schools in Supporting Students. GAO-10-33, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-33
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1033high.pdf
• Human Capital: Monitoring of Safeguards and Addressing Employee Perceptions Are Key to Implementing a Civilian Performance Management System in DOD. GAO-10-102, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-102
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10102high.pdf
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Current Cyber Sector-Specific Planning Approach Needs Reassessment. GAO-09-969, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-969
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09969high.pdf
• Voters with Disabilities: Additional Monitoring of Polling Places Could Further Improve Accessibility. GAO-09-941, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-941
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09941high.pdf
• Retirement Savings: Automatic Enrollment Shows Promise for Some Workers, but Proposals to Broaden Retirement Savings for Other Workers Could Face Challenges. GAO-10-31, October 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-31
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1031high.pdf
• New Drug Approval: FDA Needs to Enhance Its Oversight of Drugs Approved on the Basis of Surrogate Endpoints. GAO-09-866, September 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-866
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09866high.pdf
• Medicare: Per Capita Method Can Be Used to Profile Physicians and Provide Feedback on Resource Use. GAO-09-802, September 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-802
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09802high.pdf
• Influenza Pandemic: Key Securities Market Participants Are Making Progress, but Agencies Could Do More to Address Potential Internet Congestion and Encourage Readiness. GAO-10-8, October 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-8
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d108high.pdf
• Higher Education: Issues Related to Law School Cost and Access. GAO-10-20, October 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-20
• Combating Illicit Financing: Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Could Manage More Effectively to Achieve Its Mission. GAO-09-794, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-794
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09794high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Many Analyses of Alternatives Have Not Provided a Robust Assessment of Weapon System Options. GAO-09-665, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-665
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09665high.pdf
  

Correspondences

• Aviation Safety: Information on the Safety Effects of Modifying the Age Standard for Commercial Pilots. GAO-10-107R, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-107R
• Coal Combustion Residue: Status of EPA's Efforts to Regulate Disposal. GAO-10-85R, October 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-85R
• Military Training: DOD's Report on the Sustainability of Training Ranges Addresses Most of the Congressional Reporting Requirements and Continues to Improve with Each Annual Update. GAO-10-103R, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-103R

Testimonies

• National Transportation Safety Board: Reauthorization Provides an Opportunity to Focus on Implementing Leading Management Practices and Addressing Human Capital and Training Center Issues, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-10-183T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-183T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10183thigh.pdf
• Information Security: Concerted Effort Needed to Improve Federal Performance Measures, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-159T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-159T
• Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA Faces Challenges in Responding to Task Force Recommendations, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-188T, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-188T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10188thigh.pdf
• 401(k) Plans: Several Factors Can Diminish Retirement Savings, but Automatic Enrollment Shows Promise for Increasing Participation and Savings, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-10-153T, October 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-153T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10153thigh.pdf
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Workers and Retirees Experience Delays and Uncertainty when Underfunded Plans Are Terminated, by Barbara D. Bovbjerg, director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. GAO-10-181T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-181T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10181thigh.pdf
• Warfighter Support: Challenges Confronting DOD's Ability to Coordinate and Oversee Its Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Efforts, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-186T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-186T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10186thigh.pdf
• Financial Management Systems: DHS Faces Challenges to Successfully Consolidate Its Existing Disparate Systems, by Kay L. Daly, director, financial management and assurance, and Nabajyoti Barkakati, Chief Technologist, Applied Research and Methods, Center for Technology and Engineering, before the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-210T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-210T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10210thigh.pdf
• International Food Assistance: A U.S. Governmentwide Strategy Could Accelerate Progress toward Global Food Security, by Thomas Melito, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-10-212T, October 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-212T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10212thigh.pdf
• Recovery Act: Preliminary Observations on the Implementation of Broadband Programs, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-10-192T, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-192T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10192thigh.pdf
• Federal Electronics Management: Federal Agencies Could Improve Participation in EPA's Initiatives for Environmentally Preferable Electronic Products, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-196T, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-196T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10196thigh.pdf
• Legal Services Corporation: Some Progress Made in Addressing Governance and Accountability Weaknesses, But Challenges Remain, by Susan Ragland, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-194T, October 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-194T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10194thigh.pdf
  

Unemployment and GDP Numbers

To make up for our nice afternoon off here at CU-Boulder, this morning I thought I would tackle some numbers on this cold snowy morning. The Department of Labor and Department of Commerce both released some big data figures in the past two days.

I'll start with today's encouraging numbers from the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009 (see the press release). This is the first increase since the second quarter of 2008 and is a good sign that the economy is turning around. The big caveat is that much of the spending was driven by government programs, including "Cash for Clunkers."

Now, let's test our knowledge further, how many people have heard of the National Economic Accounts? The GDP is one of the factors in these accounts, which serve as indicators to help answer questions about how the national economy is faring and changing over time. Want to get a quick primer on how all these numbers interact? Well, the BEA has created a 23-page document that talks about the various numbers used in these accounts and what they can tell anyone studying the economy.

Have I scared you off yet? No, well, then let us take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) release on unemployment numbers. This is the bad news of the equation on the economy, of the 372 metropolitan areas studied by the BLS, only 1 had an unemployment rate lower then that of a year ago. Rather then scare you with definitions on this set, I just wanted to point out that you can get local unemployment numbers for your state by month off the data page.

Still here? Why not check out the library's guide to business and economic data.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on poverty, immigration, foreign policy, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by SecrecyNews and OpenCRS:

• Presidential Terms and Tenure: Perspectives and Proposals for Change
• The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight
• Poverty in the United States: 2008
• Public Safety Communications and Spectrum Resources: Policy Issues for Congress
• Managing Electronic Waste: Issues with Exporting E-Waste
• Iraq: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
• Supreme Court Justices: Demographic Characteristics, Professional Experience, and Legal Education, 1789-2009
• Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
• Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa
• Air Force KC-X Tanker Aircraft Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress
• Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2010 Appropriations
• Department of Defense Food Procurement: Background and Status
• European Union Enlargement: A Status Report on Turkey's Accession Negotiations
• Illegal Drug Trade in Africa: Trends and U.S. Policy
• Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 111th Congress
• Immigration: Frequently Asked Questions on the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Karma Ester Information Research Specialist
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives
• Iran Sanctions
• Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress
• Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues
• Removing Aliens from the United States: Judicial Review of Removal Orders
• Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006: A Fact Sheet on Department of Defense Authority to Train and Equip Foreign Military Forces
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations
• Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990
• The European Union: Questions and Answers
• The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications
• War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

It is coming...Snow

When I look out the window today I see bright blue sky and sun burning off the snow that isn't in the shade. But this is Colorado and as will come as little surprise, winter is coming. The latest Boulder weather forecast from the National Weather Service has snowflakes all over it. There are a variety of sources for weather information and I thought with the change in seasons it might be fun to talk over some of the ones focusing in on Colorado:

• Colorado Climate Center This organization, based at Colorado State University, studies the climate of Colorado and provides a lot of its research and data freely on its web site.
• Boulder, Colorado Climate and Weather This site, from the Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL), is focused in on the particular city that my university lives in. Why focus in on this city? Well, it turns out that ESRL lives here in Boulder too.
• National Climate Data Center This site is great, but this is the first resource that may require you to either be on campus or using the VPN. They have plenty of free data, but if you are interesting in Colorado's Daily/Monthly/Annual Climatological data it is only free for those of us in depository libraries.

Still want more resources on climate and weather? Check out the library's guide, which lists these resources and many more.

GAO Reports

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

Reports

• Defense Critical Infrastructure: Actions Needed to Improve the Identification and Management of Electrical Power Risks and Vulnerabilities to DOD Critical Assets. GAO-10-147, October 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-147
• Climate Change Adaptation: Strategic Federal Planning Could Help Government Officials Make More Informed Decisions. GAO-10-113, October 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-113
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10113high.pdf
• Credit Cards: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Could Better Reflect the Evolving Debt Collection Marketplace and Use of Technology. GAO-09-748, September 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-748
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09748high.pdf
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Internal Control Would Improve Accountability for Certain Centrally Provided (Greenbook) Programs. GAO-10-82, October 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-82
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1082high.pdf

Testimonies

• 2010 Census: Efforts to Build an Accurate Address List Are Making Progress, but Face Software and Other Challenges, by Robert Goldenkoff, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-140T, October 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-140T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10140thigh.pdf
• First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit: Taxpayers' Use of the Credit and Implementation and Compliance Challenges, by James R. White, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-10-166T, October 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-166T
• Climate Change Adaptation: Strategic Federal Planning Could Help Government Officials Make More Informed Decisions, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. GAO-10-175T, October 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-175T
• Juvenile Justice: Technical Assistance and Better Defined Evaluation Plans Will Help Girls' Delinquency Programs, by Eileen R. Larence, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-133T, October 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-133T

Presentation by Acting Comptroller General

• "Maximizing DOD's Untapped Potential to Improve Business Performance," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the DOD Performance Breakthrough Convention, in Lansdowne, Virginia. GAO-10-184CG, October 14, 2009.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d10184cg.pdf

Related Titles

• Climate Change Adaptation: Information on Selected Federal Efforts To Adapt To a Changing Climate (GAO-10-114SP, October 7, 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-10-113. GAO-10-114SP, October 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-114SP
• Oversight of Clinical Investigators: Action Needed to Improve Timeliness and Enhance Scope of FDA's Debarment and Disqualification Processes for Medical Product Investigators. GAO-09-807, September 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-807
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09807high.pdf
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Charges to Agencies and Offices for Centrally Provided (Greenbook) Programs for Fiscal Years 1999 through 2009 (GAO-10-83SP), an E-supplement to GAO-10-82. GAO-10-83SP, October 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-83SP

Data visualization from the World Bank

I know that not everyone is as big a fan of numbers as I am, but the World Bank has just released a new data visualization tool. I found out about this from the World Bank's private sector development blog, which covers developmental topics from a variety of sources. When you play with the data visualization tool, you can watch the numbers change over time and watch how trends change over time. For example, if you want to watch the change in the number of births attended by professionals versus life expectancy. You can see that as the number of attended births climbs, the life expectancy climbs as well. What follows is a screen capture of the chart on the left and a legend of the colors on the right.













This tool was developed and contains selected data from the World Development Indicators (free content), which is released annually. For those of you here on the CU-Boulder campus, you can see the complete data set (without the fun visualization tools) via the World Development Indicators database (campus access only).

Still want some more World Bank information? Check out the library's guide.

Is Energy Star Label Really a Sign of Efficiency?

Does the Energy Star label on that appliance you might purchase really indicate that it's energy efficient? The U.S. Department of Energy's Inspector General contends that it may not. The New York Times has reported that an internal audit by the DOE OIG, Gregory H. Friedman, shows that DOE officials do not properly verify that manufacturers giving their appliances an Energy Star label meet the required specifications for energy efficiency.

The Energy Star program is jointly managed by the DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency. Among the findings in Audit Report: The Department's Management of the Energy Star Program is that DOE officials had not "Developed a formal quality assurance program to help ensure that product specifications were adhered to; Effectively monitored the use of the ENERGY STAR label to ensure that only qualifying products were labeled as compliant; [or] Formalized procedures for establishing and revising product specifications and for documenting decisions regarding those specifications." This report is particularly interesting in light of the fact that the federal stimulus bill allows $300 million to provide rebates for consumers who purchase Energy Star products.

Want more resources on this topic? Take a look at our guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on congressional intelligence, net neutrality, Guinea, Uzbekistan, and other topics. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• Department of Defense Fuel Spending, Supply, Acquisition, and Policy
• Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2010
• "Gang of Four" Congressional Intelligence Notifications
• Guinea's 2008 Military Coup and Relations with the United States
  
• Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Aircraft Procurement and Strike Fighter Shortfall: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier (CVN) Homeporting at Mayport: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• Net Neutrality: The Federal Communications Commission's Authority to Enforce Its Network Management Principles
• Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options for Congress
  
• Uzbekistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests
  

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated Army body armor, taxation, and food safety; and posted testimony on healthcare for veterans, and posted presentations by the acting comptroller general, among other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.


Reports

Warfighter Support: Independent Expert Assessment of Army Body Armor Test Results and Procedures Needed Before Fielding. GAO-10-119, October 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-119
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10119high.pdf

Energy-Water Nexus: Improvements to Federal Water Use Data Would Increase Understanding of Trends in Power Plant Water Use. GAO-10-23, October 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-23
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1023high.pdf

Tax Administration: Opportunities Exist for IRS to Enhance Taxpayer Service and Enforcement for the 2010 Filing Season. GAO-09-1026, September 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1026

International Taxation: Study Countries That Exempt Foreign-Source Income Face Compliance Risks and Burdens Similar to Those in the United States. GAO-09-934, September 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-934
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09934high.pdf

Information Technology: Social Security Administration's Data Exchanges Support Current Programs, but Better Planning Is Needed to Meet Future Demands. GAO-09-966, September 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-966
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09966high.pdf

The Federal Government's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook: Fall 2009 Update. GAO-10-137SP, October 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-137SP

Social Security Disability: Additional Outreach and Collaboration on Sharing Medical Records Would Improve Wounded Warriors' Access to Benefits. GAO-09-762, September 16.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-762
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09762high.pdf

Information Security: NASA Needs to Remedy Vulnerabilities in Key Networks. GAO-10-4, October 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-4
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d104high.pdf

Food Safety: Agencies Need to Address Gaps in Enforcement and Collaboration to Enhance Safety of Imported Food. GAO-09-873, September 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-873
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09873high.pdf

Defense Infrastructure: DOD Needs to Provide Updated Labor Requirements to Help Guam Adequately Develop Its Labor Force for the Military Buildup. GAO-10-72, October 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-72
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1072high.pdf

Tax Gap: Limiting Sole Proprietor Loss Deductions Could Improve Compliance but Would Also Limit Some Legitimate Losses. GAO-09-815, September 10.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-815
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09815high.pdf


Correspondence

NASA: Briefing on National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Programs and Associated Activities. GAO-10-87R, October 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-87R


Testimonies

Defense Management: Widespread DCAA Audit Problems Leave Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Vulnerable to Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Defense Acquisition Reform Panel, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-163T, October 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-163T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10163thigh.pdf

VA Health Care: Ineffective Medical Center Controls Resulted in Inappropriate Billing and Collection Practices, by Kay L. Daly, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-10-152T, October 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-152T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10152thigh.pdf

Clean Water Act: Longstanding Issues Impact EPA's and States' Enforcement Efforts, by Anu K. Mittal, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-165T, October 15.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-165T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10165thigh.pdf

High Speed Passenger Rail: Developing Viable High Speed Rail Projects under the Recovery Act and Beyond, by Susan A. Fleming, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-162T, October 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-162T

Proprietary Schools: Improved Department of Education Oversight Needed to Help Ensure Only Eligible Students Receive Federal Student Aid, 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-10-127T, October 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-127T

Equal Employment Opportunity: DHS Has Opportunities to Better Identify and Address Barriers to EEO in Its Workforce, by Yvonne D. Jones, director, strategic issues, before the House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-160T, October 14.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-160T


Presentations By The Acting Comptroller General

"Troubled Asset Relief Program: GAO's Oversight Role," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's accounting and auditing conference, in Arlington, Virginia. GAO-10-150CG, October 1, 2009 http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d10150cg.pdf

"The Role of the U.S. Government Accountability Office," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the United States, before a program for members of Parliament from Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Mongolia sponsored by the House Democracy Partnership. GAO-10-111CG, October 2, 2009.
http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d10111cg.pdf

Forest Preservation and Climate Change Strategy

Forest preservation is a key strategy in the international effort to control climate change, but is it saving the environment? In the Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project (NKCAP), a coalition of U.S. utility companies, nonprofit groups, and the Bolivian government have worked together to preserve more than 6,000 square miles of forest. This article in the Washington Post states that global deforestation leads to about 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions each year. But a Greenpeace report issued today claims carbon sequestration projects, such as Noel Kempff, are scams.

At issue are the motives behind carbon offset programs, which make carbon credits, such as forest preservation, more affordable for heavily polluting businesses under cap-and-trade systems. Some environmental groups, such as Greenpeace, contend that projects like NKCAP help big utilities keep costs downs but have questionable benefit for the local community and may not have additionality (proof "that a specific forest area would not have remained
standing without offset compensation").

Nevertheless, carbon offsets are playing a role in national and international policies on climate change, such as H.R. 2998 and an international deal that could be worked out at the United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Copenhagen in December.

Want to find more resources about climate change? Take a look at our guide.

New UN Report: Global Hunger Is Increasing

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) just released a joint report indicating that the global economic crisis has led to a sharp increase in the number of hungry people around the world. One of the key messages in The State of Food Insecurity in the World: Economic Crises--Impacts and Lessons Learned is that "developing countries are facing declines in remittances, export earnings, foreign direct investment and foreign aid, leading to loss of employment and income. This loss of income is compounded by food prices that are still relatively high in the local markets of many poor countries. As a result, poor households have been forced to eat fewer meals and less-nutritious food, cut back on health and education expenses, and sell their assets."

The report states that 1.02 billion people worldwide are undernourished, the largest numbers of whom are residing in Asia and the Pacific and Africa. The report includes case studies on Armenia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Zambia.

According to this BBC News article, UN agencies are encouraging wealthier nations to invest in agriculture and food aid for poorer countries despite their own economic difficulties. On Democracy Now!, Indian journalist Devinder Sharma counters this admonition. He opines that it is better if these poor countries are not dependent upon food aid but are instead assisted in developing their own food for their own citizens. He contends that international agricultural aid has caused developing nations to rely on imported food while exporting crops grown on their own soil.

You can find additional publications about world hunger on the Publications page of the FAO. For more resources about world food supply, take a look at our guide.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the military, trade and legal issues. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• Air Force C-17 Aircraft Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
• Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress
• China-U.S. Trade Issues
• Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues
• Cybersecurity: Current Legislation, Executive Branch Initiatives, and Options for Congress
• Defense: FY2010 Authorization and Appropriations
• DOD Leases of Foreign-Built Ships: Background for Congress
• Gun Trafficking and the Southwest Border
• Homeland Security Department: FY2010 Appropriations
• Income and Poverty Among Older Americans in 2008
• Intelligence Issues for Congress
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations
• Legal Ethics in Immigration Matters: Legal Representation and Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Legal Standing Under the First Amendment's Establishment Clause
• Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe
• Methane Capture: Options for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
• Navy Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
• Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress
• Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress
• Piracy off the Horn of Africa
• Senate Consideration of Treaties
• The Department of Defense's Use of Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan: Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress
• The European Union's Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty
• The Haitian Economy and the HOPE Act
• The Proposed "Defund ACORN Act": Is It a "Bill of Attainder"?
• VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

CoverColorado Provides State Health Insurance Option

Today the Denver Post reported on CoverColorado, a state-supported health insurance option for Colorado residents who don't receive health coverage through their employers and who can't get coverage from health insurers due to a pre-existing medical condition. The Post article suggests that if a federal health reform bill mandates state-based public options rather than a federal one, CoverColorado could become Colorado's public option. "We have the infrastructure completely built," CoverColorado's Executive Director Suzanne Bragg-Gamble is quoted as saying.

CoverColorado was created by the Colorado legislature in 1991, and it has specific requirements for eligibility. This nonprofit organization receives about 50 percent of its funding from member premiums, the CoverColorado cash fund, and state insurance premium tax credit allocations as well as gifts, grants, and donations; 25 percent from fees on health insurance and stop loss carriers; and 25 percent from Colorado's Unclaimed Property Fund. You can find this information in the CoverColorado Long-Term Funding Task Force's Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly.

For additional resources, see our guides to Colorado government and health.

GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week GAO investigated the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Medicaid, posted correspondence on sexual orientation and gender identity, and posted testimony on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, among other topics. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Report

Retirement Savings: Better Information and Sponsor Guidance Could Improve Oversight and Reduce Fees for Participants. GAO-09-641, September 4.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-641
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09641high.pdf

Homeland Defense: Planning, Resourcing, and Training Issues Challenge DOD's Response to Domestic Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive Incidents. GAO-10-123, October 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-123
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10123high.pdf

Troubled Asset Relief Program: One Year Later, Actions Are Needed to Address Remaining Transparency and Accountability Challenges. GAO-10-16, October 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-16
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1016high.pdf

Telecommunications: Current Broadband Measures Have Limitations, and New Measures Are Promising but Need Improvement. GAO-10-49, October 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-49
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1049high.pdf

Contract Management: Agencies Are Not Maximizing Opportunities for Competition or Savings under Blanket Purchase Agreements despite Significant Increase in Usage. GAO-09-792, September 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-792
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09792high.pdf

Transportation Security Administration: TSA Executive Attrition Has Declined, but Better Information Is Needed on Reasons for Leaving and Executive Hiring Process. GAO-10-139, October 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-139
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10139high.pdf


Correspondence

Briefing on Air Force's Response on Fee-for-Service Aerial Refueling. GAO-10-124R, October 5.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-124R

Civilian Agencies' Development and Implementation of Insourcing Guidelines. GAO-10-58R, October 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-58R

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Employment Discrimination: Overview of State Statutes and Complaint Data. GAO-10-135R, October 1, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-135R

Railroad Retirement Board: Review of Commuter Railroad Occupational Disability Claims Reveals Potential Program Vulnerabilities. GAO-09-821R, September 9.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-821R


Related Product

Troubled Asset Relief Program: Capital Purchase Program Transactions for October 28, 2008, through September 25, 2009, and Information on Financial Agency Agreements, Contracts, Blanket Purchase Agreements, and Interagency Agreements Awarded as of September 18, 2009 (GAO-10-24SP, October 2009), an e-supplement to GAO-10-16. GAO-10-24SP, October 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-24SP

Tax Administration: IRS Has Implemented Initiatives to Prevent, Detect, and Resolve Identity Theft-Related Problems, but Needs to Assess Their Effectiveness. GAO-09-882, September 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-882
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09882high.pdf

Medicaid: State and Federal Actions Have Been Taken to Improve Children's Access to Dental Services, but Gaps Remain. GAO-09-723, September 30.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-723
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09723high.pdf

Clean Air Act: Mercury Control Technologies at Coal-Fired Power Plants Have Achieved Substantial Emissions Reductions. GAO-10-47, October 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-47
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1047high.pdf


Testimonies

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Analysis of Options for Revising the Housing Enterprises' Long-term Structures, by William B. Shear, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. GAO-10-144T, October 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-144T

Defense Acquisitions: Rapid Acquisition of MRAP Vehicles, by Michael J. Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Defense Acquisition Reform Panel, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-10-155T, October 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-155T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10155thigh.pdf

Medicaid: State and Federal Actions Have Been Taken to Improve Children's Access to Dental Services, but More Can Be Done, by Katherine M. Iritani, acting director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-112T, October 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-112T

2010 Census: Census Bureau Continues to Make Progress in Mitigating Risks to a Successful Enumeration, but Still Faces Various Challenges, by Robert Goldenkoff, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-132T, October 7.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-132T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10132thigh.pdf

CBO Gives "Clean Bill of Health" to Finance Committee Legislation

Providing fodder for healthcare legislation proposed in the Senate Finance Committee, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday that America's Healthy Future Act of 2009 would cover 29 million uninsured Americans while still slowing the growth of spending on medical care. See this New York Times article for an account of the CBO's assessment, which claims that the legislation would lower deficits by $81 billion in the decade starting next year.

The CBO's analysis of the Senate legislation can be found on its website here, although we kept getting a "time-out" message--probably because the web page was getting so much traffic at press time. You'll probably have better luck accessing this blog post by Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag.

For additional resources, see our guides to budget and health.

Defense Science Board Issues Report About Surprise

Did you know that there is a Defense Science Board that provides independent advice to the U.S. Secretary of Defense? You can find its semi-annual, unclassified publications listed here on the Department of Defense's website.

The Defense Science Board has posted its latest report, "Defense Science Board 2008 Summer Study on Capability Surprise." This 103-page PDF focuses on how to manage surprises, both "known" and unanticipated ones that could be the result of scientific breakthrough, rapid fielding, and operational innovation. Included in the report are sections on cyber surprise, nuclear surprise, red teaming, and strategic intelligence.

Interested in finding other Department of Defense resources? Take a look at our guide to military information.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency of Congress and writes reports at Congress' request. These short reports (usually 10-40 pages long) cover recent topics of concern. This week brings us reports on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program and the global economic downturn. Although these reports are in the public domain, there is no central database available to the public. To get a copy of a CRS report, you can request it from your senator or representative. These reports were discovered by OpenCRS:

• F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
  
• The Global Economic Downturn and Protectionism
  

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports dating back to 1916.

Not on campus but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Global Relief Efforts in the Pacific

Regions in Asia and the Pacific have been shattered recently by natural disasters: typhoons in the Philippines and Vietnam; earthquakes in Bhutan and the Indonesian island of Sumatra; a tsunami in American Samoa, Western Samoa, and Tonga; and flooding in South India. Today we thought we would provide you with some links to relief efforts by the U.S. and international organizations that are responding to these tragedies:

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) "the United Nations is responding with rapid support teams in Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Samoa and Tonga to support governments helping millions of people hit by a relentless barrage of tropical storms, earthquakes and tsunamis."
• World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific WHO is sending technical assistance and medical supplies to disaster-stricken countries.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies website provides a diary/blog from an aid worker in Sumatra.
• U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with American Samoan Governor Togiola Tulafono to provide relief to this nation. A team of representatives from FEMA, American Red Cross, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are responding to emergencies throughout the Pacific.
  

For additional resources on disaster relief, take a look at our guide to Emergencies, Conflicts, and Disasters.

GAO Reports

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

Reports

• Biofuels: Potential Effects and Challenges of Required Increases in Production and Use. GAO-09-446, August 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-446
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09446high.pdf
• Contingency Contracting: DOD, State, and USAID Continue to Face Challenges in Tracking Contractor Personnel and Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan. GAO-10-1, October 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-1
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d101high.pdf
• Continuing Resolutions: Uncertainty Limited Management Options and Increased Workload in Selected Agencies. GAO-09-879, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-879
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09879high.pdf
• Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary for Modernization and Integration of Public Alert and Warning System. GAO-09-834, September 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-834
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09834high.pdf
• Medicaid: Fraud and Abuse Related to Controlled Substances Identified in Selected States. GAO-09-957, September 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-957
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09957high.pdf
• Ryan White CARE Act: Health Resources and Services Administration's Implementation of Certain Provisions Hampered by Lack of Timely and Accurate Information. GAO-09-1020, September 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1020
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d091020high.pdf
• Vocational Rehabilitation Funding Formula: Options for Improving Equity in State Grants and Considerations for Performance Incentives. GAO-09-798, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-798
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09798high.pdf
• Disaster Housing: FEMA Needs More Detailed Guidance and Performance Measures to Help Ensure Effective Assistance after Major Disasters. GAO-09-796, August 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-796
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09796high.pdf
• International Food Assistance: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight. GAO-09-977SP, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-977SP
• International Trade: U.S. Agencies Have Taken Some Steps, but Serious Impediments Remain to Restricting Trade in Burmese Rubies and Jadeite. GAO-09-987, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-987
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09987high.pdf
• Intellectual Property: Enhanced Planning by U.S. Personnel Overseas Could Strengthen Efforts. GAO-09-863, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-863
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09863high.pdf
• Nuclear Waste: Uncertainties and Questions about Costs and Risks Persist with DOE's Tank Waste Cleanup Strategy at Hanford. GAO-09-913, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-913
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09913high.pdf
• Military Airlift: DOD Should Take Steps to Strengthen Management of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program. GAO-09-625, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-625
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09625high.pdf
• Debt Management: Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Should Play a Heightened Role in Addressing Debt Management Challenges. GAO-09-932, September 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-932
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09932high.pdf
• Combating Terrorism: U.S. Agencies Report Progress Countering Terrorism and Its Financing in Saudi Arabia, but Continued Focus on Counter Terrorism Financing Efforts Needed. GAO-09-883, September 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-883
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09883high.pdf
• Emergency Communications: National Communications System Provides Programs for Priority Calling, but Planning for New Initiatives and Performance Measurement Could Be Strengthened. GAO-09-822, August 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-822
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09822high.pdf
• Homeland Security: Actions Needed to Improve Security Practices at National Icons and Parks. GAO-09-983, August 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-983
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09983high.pdf
• Medicare Physician Services: Utilization Trends Indicate Sustained Beneficiary Access with High and Growing Levels of Service in Some Areas of the Nation. GAO-09-559, August 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-559
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09559high.pdf
• Nursing Homes: CMS's Special Focus Facility Methodology Should Better Target the Most Poorly Performing Homes, Which Tended to Be Chain Affiliated and For-Profit. GAO-09-689, August 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-689
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09689high.pdf
• Democracy Assistance: U.S. Agencies Take Steps to Coordinate International Programs but Lack Information on Some U.S.-funded Activities. GAO-09-993, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-993
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09993high.pdf
• International Food Assistance: USAID Is Taking Actions to Improve Monitoring and Evaluation of Nonemergency Food Aid, but Weaknesses in Planning Could Impede Efforts. GAO-09-980, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-980
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09980high.pdf

Correspondence

• U.S. Embargo on Cuba: Recent Regulatory Changes and Potential Presidential or Congressional Actions. GAO-09-951R, September 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-951R
• Federal Student Loans: Audits and Reviews of the Federal Family Education Loan and Federal Direct Loan Programs. GAO-09-992R, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-992R
• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau: Fiscal Year 2010 Proposed Licensing and Registration Fees Program. GAO-09-1023R, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1023R
• Defense Acquisitions: Department of Defense Needs a Unified Strategy for Balancing Investments in Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. GAO-09-968R, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-968R
• Defense Acquisitions: Army Aviation Modernization Has Benefited from Increased Funding but Several Challenges Need to Be Addressed. GAO-09-978R, September 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-978R

Testimonies

• Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary for Development of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical infrastructure, before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-09-1044T, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1044T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d091044thigh.pdf
• Emergency Management: Preliminary Observations on FEMA's Community Preparedness Programs Related to the National Preparedness System, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-105T, October 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-105T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10105thigh.pdf
• Personnel Security Clearances: An Outcome-Focused Strategy and Comprehensive Reporting of Timeliness and Quality Would Provide Greater Visibility over the Clearance Process, by Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. GAO-10-117T, October 1.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-117T
• Medicaid: Fraud and Abuse Related to Controlled Substances Identified in Selected States, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-09-1004T, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1004T
  
• Federal Judgeships: The General Accuracy of District and Appellate Judgeship Case-Related Workload Measures, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts, Senate Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-09-1050T, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1050T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d091050thigh.pdf
  
• Financial Regulation: Recent Crisis Reaffirms the Need to Overhaul the U.S. Regulatory System, by Richard J. Hillman, managing director, financial markets and community investment, before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. GAO-09-1049T, September 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1049T
• Crime Victims' Rights Act: Increasing Victim Awareness and Clarifying Applicability to the District of Columbia Will Improve Implementation of the Act, by Eileen Larence, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, House Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-09-1024T, September 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1024T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d091024thigh.pdf
• Federal Contracting: Observations on the Government's Contracting Data Systems, by William T. Woods, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-09-1032T, September 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-1032T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d091032thigh.pdf

Related Products

• Emergency Preparedness: Results of Survey on State and Local Emergency Alert and Notification Capabilities (GAO-09-880SP, September 2009), an E-supplement to GAO-09-834. GAO-09-880SP, September 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-09-880sp/index.html
• Equal Employment Opportunity: DHS Has Opportunities to Better Identify and Address Barriers to EEO in Its Workforce. GAO-09-639, August 31.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-639
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09639high.pdf
• Aviation Security: A National Strategy and Other Actions Would Strengthen TSA's Efforts to Secure Commercial Airport Perimeters and Access Controls. GAO-09-399, September 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-399
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09399high.pdf