GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This past week GAO investigated foreclosures, auditing, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Homeownership Preservation: Federal Efforts to Combat Foreclosure Rescue Schemes Are Under Way, but Improved Planning Elements Could Enhance Progress. GAO-10-787, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-787
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10787high.pdf
• Consumer-Directed Health Plans: Health Status, Spending, and Utilization of Enrollees in Plans Based on Health Reimbursement Arrangements. GAO-10-616, July 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-616
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10616high.pdf
• Superfund: Interagency Agreements and Improved Project Management Needed to Achieve Cleanup Progress at Key Defense Installations. GAO-10-348, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-348
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10348high.pdf
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Key Private and Public Cyber Expectations Need to Be Consistently Addressed. GAO-10-628, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-628
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10628high.pdf
• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Federally Funded Programs Have Helped to Address the Needs of Gulf Coast Small Businesses, but Agency Data on Subcontracting Are Incomplete. GAO-10-723, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-723
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10723high.pdf
  

Guidance

• Government Auditing Standards: 2010 Exposure Draft. GAO-10-853G, August 2010.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-853G
  

Presentation By The Acting Comptroller General

• "Anticipating and Meeting Accountability Challenges in a Dynamic Environment," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before AICPA's national governmental accounting and auditing update conference, in Washington, D.C. GAO-10-955CG, August 16, 2010
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-955CG
  

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 foreign relations, terrorism, medical care, and much more. 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 Secrecy News:

• Terrorist Material Support: An Overview of 18 U.S.C. 2339A and 2339B
• Terrorist Material Support: A Sketch of 18 U.S.C. 2339A and 2339B
• Veterans Medical Care: FY2011 Appropriations
• U.S. Sanctions on Burma
• U.S.-Australia Civilian Nuclear Cooperation: Issues for Congress
• Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians
• Security and the Environment in Pakistan

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.

Women's right to vote

Today mark's the 90th anniversary of the the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The picture at right is women protesting in front of the White House and is from the "Women of Protest" collection on American Memory. Here are some resources to check out on this day:

• Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the 19th amendment This document was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919 and ratified on August 18, 1920. It finally allowed all American women the right to vote.
• 90th Anniversary page from National Archives This page gives a more in-depth description of the process of passage of this amendment. My favorite little tidbit in here is the fact that Representative Harry Burn was the vote that switched to pass and he justified it with the statement "I know that a mother's advice is always safest for her boy to follow, and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification."
• Constitution of the United States View the original constitution along with the changes and additions (such as the 19th amendment) passed over the years.
• Women's History Collections These are all the collections focusing on women's history in the American Memory site from the Library of Congress. There are four collections specifically dealing with women's suffrage.

Want to learn more about how voting and elections? Check out the library's guide.

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. These past few weeks GAO investigated education, medicare, formaldehyde, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• State and Local Governments: Fiscal Pressures Could Have Implications for Future Delivery of Intergovernmental Programs. GAO-10-899, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-899
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10899high.pdf
• Higher Education: Institutions' Reported Data Collection Burden Is Higher Than Estimated but Can Be Reduced through Increased Coordination. GAO-10-871, August 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-871
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10871high.pdf
• Formaldehyde in Textiles: While Levels in Clothing Generally Appear to Be Low, Allergic Contact Dermatitis Is a Health Issue for Some People. GAO-10-875, August 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-875
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10875high.pdf
• Electronic Waste: Considerations for Promoting Environmentally Sound Reuse and Recycling. GAO-10-626, July 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-626
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10626high.pdf
• Federal Housing Finance Agency: Oversight of the Federal Home Loan Banks' Agricultural and Small Business Collateral Policies Could Be Improved. GAO-10-792, July 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-792
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10792high.pdf
• Homeland Security: US-VISIT Pilot Evaluations Offer Limited Understanding of Air Exit Options. GAO-10-860, August 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-860
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10860high.pdf
• Tactical Aircraft: DOD's Ability to Meet Future Requirements Is Uncertain, with Key Analyses Needed to Inform Upcoming Investment Decisions. GAO-10-789, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-789
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10789high.pdf
• Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA and NASA Have Improved Human Factors Research Coordination, but Stronger Leadership Needed. GAO-10-824, August 6.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-824
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10824high.pdf
• Climate Change: The Quality, Comparability, and Review of Emissions Inventories Vary Between Developed and Developing Nations. GAO-10-818, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-818
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10818high.pdf
• Propane and Heating Oil: Federal Oversight of the Propane Education and Research Council and National Oilheat Research Alliance Should Be Strengthened. GAO-10-583, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-583
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10583high.pdf
• Homeland Security: Addressing Weaknesses with Facility Security Committees Would Enhance Protection of Federal Facilities. GAO-10-901, August 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-901
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10901high.pdf
• Finanzas del consumidor: Factores que Afectan la Educacion Financiera de las Personas con Conocimientos Limitados del Ingles. [Spanish version of GAO-10-518, May 21, 2010] GAO-10-869, 4 de agosto de 2010.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-869
• Medicaid Managed Care: CMS's Oversight of States' Rate Setting Needs Improvement. GAO-10-810, August 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-810
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10810high.pdf
• Social Security Administration: Cases of Federal Employees and Transportation Drivers and Owners Who Fraudulently and/or Improperly Received SSA Disability Payments. GAO-10-444, June 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-444
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10444high.pdf
• Highway Trust Fund: Nearly All States Received More Funding Than They Contributed in Highway Taxes Since 2005. GAO-10-780, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-780
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10780high.pdf
• Recovery Act: Further Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Oversight of Broadband Stimulus Programs. GAO-10-823, August 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-823
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10823high.pdf
• Financial Assistance: Ongoing Challenges and Guiding Principles Related to Government Assistance For Private Sector Companies. GAO-10-719, August, 3.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-719
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10719high.pdf
• Cyberspace: United States Faces Challenges in Addressing Global Cybersecurity and Governance. GAO-10-606, July 2.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-606
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10606high.pdf
  

Correspondence

• In a Previous Rate-Setting Proceeding for Some Sound Recordings, the Standard Addressing the Disruptive Impact on the Industries Contributed to a Lower Copyright Royalty Rate, but the Effect of Its Proposed Removal Is Unclear. GAO-10-828R, August 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-828R
  

Testimonies

• For-Profit Colleges: Undercover Testing Finds Colleges Encouraged Fraud and Engaged in Deceptive and Questionable Marketing Practices, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. GAO-10-948T, August 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-948T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10948thigh.pdf
• Social Security Administration: Cases of Federal Employees and Transportation Drivers and Owners Who Fraudulently and/or Improperly Received SSA Benefits, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-949T, August 4.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-949T
  

Guidance

• Organizational Transformation: A Framework for Assessing and Improving Enterprise Architecture Management (Version 2.0) GAO-10-846G, August 5.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-846G
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10846ghigh.pdf
  

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. These past few weeks GAO investigated energy, budgets, technology, and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Management Report: Improvements Needed in Controls over the Preparation of the U.S. Consolidated Financial Statements. GAO-10-757, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-757
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10757high.pdf
• Wastewater Infrastructure Financing: Stakeholder Views on a National Infrastructure Bank and Public-Private Partnerships. GAO-10-728, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-728
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10728high.pdf
• Military Naturalizations: USCIS Generally Met Mandated Processing Deadlines, but Processing Applicants Deployed Overseas Is a Challenge. GAO-10-865, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-865
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10865high.pdf
• Defense Infrastructure: Army's Privatized Lodging Program Could Benefit from More Effective Planning. GAO-10-771, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-771
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10771high.pdf
• Recovery Act: Most DOE Cleanup Projects Appear to Be Meeting Cost and Schedule Targets, but Assessing Impact of Spending Remains a Challenge. GAO-10-784, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-784
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10784high.pdf
• Aviation Safety: Improved Planning Could Help FAA Address Challenges Related to Winter Weather Operations. GAO-10-678, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-678
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10678high.pdf
• Public Transportation: Federal Role in Value Capture Strategies for Transit Is Limited, but Additional Guidance Could Help Clarify Policies. GAO-10-781, July 29.http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-781
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10781high.pdf
  
• Department of Homeland Security: DHS Needs to Comprehensively Assess Its Foreign Language Needs and Capabilities and Identify Shortfalls. GAO-10-714, June 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-714
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10714high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: DOD Needs to Develop Performance Criteria to Gauge Impact of Reform Act Changes and Address Workforce Issues. GAO-10-774, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-774
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10774high.pdf
• Military Personnel: Enhanced Collaboration and Process Improvements Needed for Determining Military Treatment Facility Medical Personnel Requirements. GAO-10-696, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-696
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10696high.pdf
• Technology Assessment: Explosives Detection Technologies to Protect Passenger Rail. GAO-10-898, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-898
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10898high.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_27.html
• Small Business Administration: Undercover Tests Show HUBZone Program Remains Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse. GAO-10-759, June 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-759
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10759high.pdf
• Defense Management: U.S. Southern Command Demonstrates Interagency Collaboration, but Its Haiti Disaster Response Revealed Challenges Conducting a Large Military Operation. GAO-10-801, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-801
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10801high.pdf
• Defense Management: Improved Planning, Training, and Interagency Collaboration Could Strengthen DOD's Efforts in Africa. GAO-10-794, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-794
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10794high.pdf
• Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act: After Almost 20 Years, Key Federal Agencies Still Have Not Fully Complied with the Act. GAO-10-768, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-768
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10768high.pdf
• Performance Measurement: Better Alignment to Strategic Goals and Data Verification Needed at the Corporation for National and Community Service. GAO-10-886, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-886
• NextGen Air Transportation System: FAA's Metrics Can Be Used to Report on Status of Individual Programs, but Not of Overall NextGen Implementation or Outcomes. GAO-10-629, July 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-629
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10629high.pdf
• Coast Guard: Deepwater Requirements, Quantities, and Cost Require Revalidation to Reflect Knowledge Gained. GAO-10-790, July 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-790
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10790high.pdf
• Department of Defense: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Financial Management of Military Equipment. GAO-10-695, July 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-695
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10695high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Guidance Needed on Navy's Use of Investment Incentives at Private Shipyards. GAO-10-686, July 26.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-686
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10686high.pdf
• Department of Education: Improved Dissemination and Timely Product Release Would Enhance the Usefulness of the What Works Clearinghouse. GAO-10-644, July 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-644
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10644high.pdf
• Life Insurance Settlements: Regulatory Inconsistencies May Pose a Number of Challenges. GAO-10-775, July 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-775
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10775high.pdf
• Alien Smuggling: DHS Needs to Better Leverage Investigative Resources and Measure Program Performance along the Southwest Border. GAO-10-328, May 24.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-328
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10328high.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_26.html
• Merida Initiative: The United States Has Provided Counternarcotics and Anticrime Support but Needs Better Performance Measures. GAO-10-837, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-837
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10837high.pdf
• Drug Control: DOD Needs to Improve Its Performance Measurement System to Better Manage and Oversee Its Counternarcotics Activities. GAO-10-835, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-835
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10835high.pdf
• Engaging Foreign Audiences: Assessment of Public Diplomacy Platforms Could Help Improve State Department Plans to Expand Engagement. GAO-10-767, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-767
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10767high.pdf
• Older Americans: Continuing Care Retirement Communities Can Provide Benefits, but Not Without Some Risk. GAO-10-611, June 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-611
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10611high.pdf
• Recovery Act: Contracting Approaches and Oversight Used by Selected Federal Agencies and States. GAO-10-809, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-809
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10809high.pdf
• Elections: DOD Can Strengthen Evaluation of Its Absentee Voting Assistance Program. GAO-10-476, June 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-476
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10476high.pdf
• Federal Student Loan Programs: Opportunities Exist to Improve Audit Requirements and Oversight Procedures. GAO-10-668, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-668
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10668high.pdf
• Defense Management: DOD Needs Better Information and Guidance to More Effectively Manage and Reduce Operating and Support Costs of Major Weapon Systems. GAO-10-717, July 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-717
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10717high.pdf
• Rural Homelessness: Better Collaboration by HHS and HUD Could Improve Delivery of Services in Rural Areas. GAO-10-724, July 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-724
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10724high.pdf
• New Embassy Compounds: State Faces Challenges in Sizing Facilities and Providing for Operations and Maintenance Requirements. GAO-10-689, July 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-689
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10689high.pdf
• Border Security: CBP Lacks the Data Needed to Assess the FAST Program at U.S. Northern Border Ports. GAO-10-694, July 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-694
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10694high.pdf
• Information Technology: OMB's Dashboard Has Increased Transparency and Oversight, but Improvements Needed. GAO-10-701, July 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-701
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10701high.pdf
• Coal Power Plants: Opportunities Exist for DOE to Provide Better Information on the Maturity of Key Technologies to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions. GAO-10-675, June 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-675
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10675high.pdf
• Military Training: Army and Marine Corps Face Challenges to Address Projected Future Requirements. GAO-10-720, July 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-720
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10720high.pdf
• Veterans Affairs: Opportunities Exist to Improve Potential Recipients' Awareness of the Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant. GAO-10-786, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-786
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10786high.pdf
• Aviation Research: Airport Cooperative Research Program Addresses Many Needs but Could Enhance Transparency and Clarify Scope of Research Role. GAO-10-729, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-729
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10729high.pdf
• Export-Import Bank: Reaching New Targets for Environmentally Beneficial Exports Presents Major Challenges for Bank. GAO-10-682, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-682
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10682high.pdf
• Commercial Aviation: Consumers Could Benefit from Better Information about Airline-Imposed Fees and Refundability of Government-Imposed Taxes and Fees. GAO-10-785, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-785
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10785high.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_25.html
• Passport Issuance: Current Situation Results in Thousands of Passports Issued to Registered Sex Offenders. GAO-10-643, June 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-643
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10643high.pdf
• Health Care Quality Measurement: The National Quality Forum Has Begun a 4-Year Contract with HHS. GAO-10-737, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-737
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10737high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Missile Defense Program Instability Affects Reliability of Earned Value Management Data. GAO-10-676, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-676
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10676high.pdf
• Afghanistan Development: Enhancements to Performance Management and Evaluation Efforts Could Improve USAID's Agricultural Programs. GAO-10-368, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-368
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10368high.pdf
• Legal Services Corporation: Improvements Needed in Controls over Grant Awards and Grantee Program Effectiveness. GAO-10-540, June 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-540
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10540high.pdf
• Department of Energy: Further Actions Are Needed to Improve DOE's Ability to Evaluate and Implement the Loan Guarantee Program. GAO-10-627, July 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-627
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10627high.pdf
• American Samoa: Performing a Risk Assessment Would Better Inform U.S. Agencies of the Risks Related to Acceptance of Certificates of Identity. GAO-10-638, June 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-638
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10638high.pdf
  

Testimonies

• Iran Sanctions: New Act Underscores Importance of Comprehensive Assessment of Sanctions' Effectiveness, by Joseph A. Christoff, director, international affairs and trade, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-928T, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-928T
• Foreign Language Capabilities: Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and State Could Better Assess Their Foreign Language Needs and Capabilities and Address Shortfalls, by David C. Maurer, director, homeland security and justice, 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-10-715T, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-715T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10715thigh.pdf
• State Department: Undercover Tests Show Passport Issuance Process Remains Vulnerable to Fraud, by Gregory Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Senate Committee on the Judiciary. GAO-10-922T, July 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-922T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10922thigh.pdf
• National Security: Interagency Collaboration Practices and Challenges at DOD's Southern and Africa Commands, by John H. Pendleton, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-962T, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-962T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10962thigh.pdf
• Department of Veterans Affairs: Long-standing Weaknesses in Miscellaneous Obligation and Financial Reporting Controls, by Susan Ragland, director, financial management and assurance, before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-10-939T, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-939T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10939thigh.pdf
• Small Business Administration: Undercover Tests Show HUBZone Program Remains Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse, by Gregory Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the House Committee on Small Business. GAO-10-920T, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-920T
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Payment Errors and Trafficking Have Declined, but Challenges Remain, by Kay E. Brown, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry, House Committee on Agriculture. GAO-10-956T, July 28.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-956T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10956thigh.pdf
• DOD's High Risk Areas: Observations on DOD's Progress and Challenges in Strategic Planning for Supply Chain Management, by Jack E. Edwards and William M. Solis, directors, defense capabilities and management, 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-10-929T, July 27.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-929T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10929thigh.pdf
• Alien Smuggling: DHS Could Better Address Alien Smuggling along the Southwest Border by Leveraging Investigative Resources and Measuring Program Performance, by Richard M. Stana, director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-10-919T, July 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-919T
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_26.html
• Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests: Misleading Test Results Are Further Complicated by Deceptive Marketing and Other Questionable Practices, by Gregory Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-10-847T, July 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-847T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10847thigh.pdf
  Video - http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-847T
• Oil and Gas Management: Past Work Offers Insights to Consider in Restructuring Interior's Oversight, by Frank Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-888T, July 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-888T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10888thigh.pdf
• Information Management: Challenges In Federal Agencies' Use of Web 2.0 Technologies, by Gregory Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-872T, July 22.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-872T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10872thigh.pdf
• Maritime Security: DHS Progress and Challenges in Key Areas of Port Security, by Stephen L. Caldwell, director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-10-940T, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-940T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10940thigh.pdf
• Merida Initiative: The United States Needs Better Performance Measures for Its Counternarcotics and Anticrime Support Efforts, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade team, before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-10-913T, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-913T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10913thigh.pdf
• Older Americans: Continuing Care Retirement Communities Can Provide Benefits, but Not Without Some Risk, by Alicia Puente Cackley, director, financial markets and community investment, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. GAO-10-904T, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-904T
• Drug Control: International Programs Face Significant Challenges Reducing the Supply of Illegal Drugs but Support Broad U.S. Foreign Policy Objectives, by Jess T. Ford, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-10-921T, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-921T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10921thigh.pdf
• Highway Bridge Program: Condition of Nation's Bridges Shows Limited Improvement, but Further Actions Could Enhance the Impact of Federal Investment, by Phillip R. Herr, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-930T, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-930T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10930thigh.pdf
• Troubled Asset Relief Program: Continued Attention Needed to Ensure the Transparency and Accountability of Ongoing Programs, by Richard J. Hillman, managing director, financial markets and community investment, before the Senate Committee on Finance. GAO-10-933T, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-933T
• Defined Benefit Pension Plans: Plans Face Valuation and Other Challenges When Investing in Hedge Funds and Private Equity, by Barbara Bovbjerg, managing director, education, workforce, and income security, before the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-10-915T, July 20.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-915T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10915thigh.pdf
• U.S. Insular Areas: Interior's Management and Oversight of Insular Area Grants, by Anu K. Mittal, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-10-917T, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-917T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10917thigh.pdf
• Medicare Recovery Audit Contracting: Lessons Learned to Address Improper Payments and Improve Contractor Coordination and Oversight, by Kathleen M. King, director, health care, and Kay L. Daly, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-10-864T, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-864T
• Afghanistan Development: USAID Continues to Face Challenges in Managing and Overseeing U.S. Development Assistance Programs, by Charles Michael Johnson Jr., director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-10-932T, July 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-932T
• Commercial Aviation: Better Information about Airline-Imposed Fees and the Refundability of Government-Imposed Taxes and Fees Could Benefit Consumers, by Gerald L. Dillingham, director, physical infrastructure team, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. GAO-10-885T, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-885T
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_25.html
  

Correspondences

• Medicare Payments to Federally Qualified Health Centers. GAO-10-576R, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-576R
• 
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-876R
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Security Fencing, Infrastructure and Technology Fiscal Year 2010 Expenditure Plan. GAO-10-877R, July 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-877R<
• Management Report: Improvements Needed in American Battle Monuments Commission's Internal Controls and Accounting Procedures. GAO-10-596R, July 23.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-596R
• Military Base Realignments and Closures: DOD Is Taking Steps to Mitigate Challenges, but Is Not Fully Reporting Some Additional Costs. GAO-10-725R, July 21.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-725R
• Oversight of DOJ Funds for Recreation Activities. GAO-10-661R, June 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-661R
• Federal Bureau of Prisons: BOP Has Mechanisms in Place to Address Most Second Chance Act Requirements and Is Working to Implement an Initiative Designed to Reduce Recidivism. GAO-10-854R, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-854R
• Millennium Challenge Corporation: Summary Fact Sheets for 17 Compacts. GAO-10-797R, July 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-797R
• Hurricane Katrina: CMS and HRSA Assistance to Sustain Primary Care Gains in the Greater New Orleans Area. GAO-10-773R, June 30.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-773R
• Human Capital: Quality of DOD Status of Forces Surveys Could Be Improved by Performing Nonresponse Analysis of the Results. GAO-10-751R, July 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-751R
  

Presentation by Acting Comptroller General

• "Anticipating and Meeting Accountability Challenges in a Dynamic Environment," by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Association of Government Accountants' 59th Professional Development Conference and Exposition, in Orlando, Florida. GAO-10-891CG, July 12, 2010.
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d10891cg.pdf