GAO Releases this week

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

Reports

• Electronic Government: Additional OMB Leadership Needed to Optimize Use of New Federal Employee Identification Cards. GAO-08-292, February 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-292
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08292high.pdf
  
• Governmentwide Purchase Cards: Actions Needed to Strengthen Internal Controls to Reduce Fraudulent, Improper, and Abusive Purchases. GAO-08-333, March 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-333
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08333high.pdf
• International Trade: U.S. Trade Preference Programs Provide Important Benefits, but a More Integrated Approach Would Better Ensure Programs Meet Shared Goals. GAO-08-443, March 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-443
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08443high.pdf
• Media Ownership: Economic Factors Influence the Number of Media Outlets in Local Markets, While Ownership by Minorities and Women Appears Limited and Is Difficult to Assess. GAO-08-383, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-383
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08383high.pdf
• Mine Safety: Additional Guidance and Oversight of Mines' Emergency Response Plans Would Improve the Safety of Underground Coal Miners. GAO-08-424, April 8.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-424
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08424high.pdf

Correspondence

• Millennium Challenge Corporation: Analysis of Compact Development and Future Obligations and Current Disbursements of Compact Assistance. GAO-08-577R, April 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-577R
• United Nations: Renovation Schedule Accelerated after Delays, but Risks Remain in Key Areas. GAO-08-513R, April 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-513R
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08513rhigh.pdf

Testimonies

• Census 2010: Census at Critical Juncture for Implementing Risk Reduction Strategies, by David A. Powner, director, information technology management issues, and Mathew J. Scire, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-659T, April 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-659T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08659thigh.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: 2009 Review of Future Combat System Is Critical to Program's Direction, by Paul L. Frances, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-638T, April 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-638T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08638thigh.pdf
• Department of Homeland Security: Progress Made in Implementation of Management Functions, but More Work Remains, by Norman J. Rabkin, managing director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-08-646T, April 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-646T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08646thigh.pdf
• Employee Security: Implementation of Identification Cards and DOD's Personnel Security Clearance Program Need Improvement, by Linda D. Koontz, director, information management issues, and Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-551T, April 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-551T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08551thigh.pdf
• Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability Office, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-616T, April 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-616T
• Force Structure: Restructuring and Rebuilding the Army Will Cost Billions of Dollars for Equipment but the Total Cost Is Uncertain, by Janet A. St. Laurent, managing director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-669T, April 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-669T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08669thigh.pdf
• Internet Sales: Undercover Purchases on eBay and Craigslist Reveal a Market for Sensitive and Stolen U.S. Military Items, by Gregory D. Kutz, managing director, forensic audits and special investigations, before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-644T, April 10.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-644T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08644thigh.pdf
• VA Health Care: Recruitment and Retention Challenges and Efforts to Make Salaries Competitive for Nurse Anesthetists, by Marjorie E. Kanof, managing director, health care, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-08-647T, April 9.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-647T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08647thigh.pdf

Reissued Product

• DOD Pharmacy Program: Continued Efforts Needed to Reduce Growth in Spending at Retail Pharmacies. GAO-08-327, April 4. [Revised to correct the first sentence under "Why GAO Did This Study" on the highlights page to read "estimated to reach $15 billion by 2015" instead "estimated to reach $15 million by 2015."]
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-327
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08327high.pdf