Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
SBA, General Motors to Host Michigan Supplier Matchmaking Expo
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on May 26, 2026:
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SBA, General Motors to Host Michigan Supplier Matchmaking Expo
Registration Now Open for June 5 Event Connecting Major Buyers with Local Small Businesses to Strengthen Domestic Supply Chains
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DETROIT, Mich. -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that its second 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo will take place on June 5, 2026, at the MotorCity Casino in Detroit, Michigan. The event, which is co-hosted by General Motors, is designed to advance President Trump's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on May 26, 2026:
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SBA, General Motors to Host Michigan Supplier Matchmaking Expo
Registration Now Open for June 5 Event Connecting Major Buyers with Local Small Businesses to Strengthen Domestic Supply Chains
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DETROIT, Mich. -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that its second 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo will take place on June 5, 2026, at the MotorCity Casino in Detroit, Michigan. The event, which is co-hosted by General Motors, is designed to advance President Trump'sMade in America agenda by helping large companies and industrial producers connect with small domestic suppliers - incentivizing companies to shift their supply chains home, create local jobs, and restore American industrial dominance.
"The strong results from SBA's inaugural Supplier Matchmaking Expo made clear that industry giants and small businesses are eager for more opportunities to connect and do business locally -- which is why we're proud to host our second expo in Detroit," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Large companies rely upon America's small businesses every single day, from component manufacturing to business services, and that is why we saw over 170 small businesses benefit from our last Matchmaking Expo. Alongside partners like General Motors, the Trump SBA is strengthening domestic supply chains by connecting the small and large businesses that partner to power domestic production."
The 2026 Michigan Supplier Matchmaking Expo will provide opportunities for small businesses and local suppliers to meet corporations of all sizes and industries that are seeking partners for their operations. Suppliers will have the option to participate in one-on-one matchmaking sessions with prospective buyers, in addition to networking with federal, state, and local resources that support small manufacturers. Buyers confirmed to participate in the 2026 Michigan Supplier Matchmaking Expo include:
* American Rheinmetall
* Boeing
* Defense Logistics Agency
* Department of the Air Force
* Department of War
* Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority
* DTE Energy
* Google
* MillerKnoll
* NASA Office of Small Business Programs
* RENK America
* SAPA Transmission
* SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation)
* Swamp Stick LLC
* Things Sought After, Inc.
* U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
* U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The event will take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET at the MotorCity Casino. Registration for both buyers and suppliers is open at suppliermatchmakingexpo.com.
In March, SBA launched its inaugural Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina, where over 675 small businesses connected directly with 35 large industrial buyers in addition to federal, state and local resources. During the expo, over 170 small businesses successfully "matched" with large companies to provide services.
Cosponsorship Authorization #26-5-C. SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance . Contact savannah.wilburn@sba.gov to make arrangements.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/05/27/sba-general-motors-host-michigan-supplier-matchmaking-expo
National Museum of the American Indian Hosts a National Quilt Along in Recognition of America's 250th
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian issued the following news release:
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National Museum of the American Indian Hosts a National Quilt Along in Recognition of America's 250th
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian will host a nationwide quilt-along project to reflect on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the continuing evolution of the country, communities and future as seen through a Native perspective.
This five-month, mystery-style quilt project begins in June and is open
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian issued the following news release:
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National Museum of the American Indian Hosts a National Quilt Along in Recognition of America's 250th
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian will host a nationwide quilt-along project to reflect on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the continuing evolution of the country, communities and future as seen through a Native perspective.
This five-month, mystery-style quilt project begins in June and is opento all who would like to participate. Participants can join the quilt along and create their own commemorative piece by signing up on the museum's website.
On the first of each month from June through October, a new pattern will be revealed via email and on the museum's website. Each pattern is designed by a contemporary Native artist, representing different geographic regions of the United States. Each block will measure 10 by 10 inches, the border will measure 5 inches around and the completed quilt will measure 22 by 55 inches.
In addition to receiving patterns, participants will be invited to attend two webcasts, highlighting the designs and artists, and an in-person "sit-and-sew" event held at the museum's Washington, D.C, and New York City locations.
The final quilted wall hanging will feature four blocks, each representing distinct periods of United States history through a Native lens:
* Pre-contact to the American Revolution in 1776
* Post-American Revolution (1776-1901)--the first 125 years
* 20th century to present day (1902-2026)--the second 125 years
* Our Shared Future (2026 and beyond)
The border, themed "Always Becoming," surrounds the different eras of United States history to represent that as a country, we are always evolving, growing and changing.
This project received funding from the Smithsonian's "Our Shared Future: 250," a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary and support the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years.
Patterns and Release Dates
* Block 1 (June 1): Pre-contact to the American Revolution (any time prior and up to 1776), designed by Lauren Good Day (Arikara/Hidatsa/Blackfeet/Plains Cree)
* Block 2 (July 1): Post-American Revolution (1776-1901), designed by Cissy Serrao (Native Hawaiian)
* Block 3 (Aug. 1): 20th century to present day (1902-2026), designed by Emma Alcazar (Chickasaw)
* Block 4 (Sept. 1): Our Shared Future (2026 and beyond), designed by Nikki Corbett (Yup'ik)
* Border (Oct. 1): Always Becoming border, designed by Margaret Wood (Dine/Seminole)
In-Person Sit-and-Sew
An in-person sit-and-sew will be hosted at the New York City and Washington museums Oct. 17. Emma Alcazar will be on-site in Washington, and Margaret Wood will be on-site in New York.
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About the Museum
In partnership with Native peoples and their allies, the National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. Through two locations, it features exhibitions and programs in New York City and the National Mall in Washington, D.C. For information about the museums, including hours and directions, visit americanindian.si.edu. Follow the museum on social media @SmithsonianNMAI.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-american-indian-hosts-national-quilt-along-recognition-americas
NTSB Recommends FAA Update Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release on May 26, 2026:
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NTSB Recommends FAA Update Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
Recommendations follow investigations into runway overruns
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The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday called for changes in the way runway conditions are assessed during heavy rainfall, saying the current system increases the risk of a runway overrun.
The NTSB issued three safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration aimed at improving its runway condition assessment matrix, or RCAM.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release on May 26, 2026:
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NTSB Recommends FAA Update Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
Recommendations follow investigations into runway overruns
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The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday called for changes in the way runway conditions are assessed during heavy rainfall, saying the current system increases the risk of a runway overrun.
The NTSB issued three safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration aimed at improving its runway condition assessment matrix, or RCAM.Landing distances on wet runways are calculated using the current matrix. NTSB recommends the FAA update the RCAM to account for the progressive decrease in the wheel braking friction coefficient, the measure of the slipperiness of the runway, associated with increasing rainfall intensity.
NTSB also recommends the FAA add additional rainfall intensity descriptors for aviation weather reports to identify rainfall intensities that can exceed the current heavy rain threshold of 0.3 inches per hour. The rainfall intensity descriptors currently used in aviation weather reports do not identify the highest rainfall intensities that are possible at an airport, limiting flight crews' ability to accurately assess the runway condition and the required landing distance.
The recommendations follow NTSB investigations of 11 runway overrun accidents and incidents from 2008 through 2022 that occurred after landings on wet runways.
In one of those investigations, the 2019 runway overrun of a Boeing 737 in Jacksonville, Florida, the NTSB determined the probable cause was, in part, "an extreme loss of braking friction due to heavy rain and the water depth on the ungrooved runway, which resulted in viscous hydroplaning." Rainfall intensities at the time were two to eight times the heavy rain threshold value. Under such conditions, braking can be reduced to such an extent that pilots should not attempt to land.
Aviation Investigation Report 26-04 and the safety recommendations are available online.
To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7).
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Original text here: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20260526.aspx
Brazil's Maranhao State to Improve Fiscal Sustainability With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Brazil's Maranhao State to Improve Fiscal Sustainability with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $52.9 million loan for the state of Maranhao in Brazil to strengthen fiscal revenue and public expenditure management.
The operation will modernize Maranhao's fiscal management by aligning systems and processes with the country's consumption tax reform as well as enhance the state's ability to deliver services and support sustainable
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Brazil's Maranhao State to Improve Fiscal Sustainability with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $52.9 million loan for the state of Maranhao in Brazil to strengthen fiscal revenue and public expenditure management.
The operation will modernize Maranhao's fiscal management by aligning systems and processes with the country's consumption tax reform as well as enhance the state's ability to deliver services and support sustainableeconomic and social development. This new plan is part of the third phase of the PROFISCO Program, a national IDB-supported initiative to strengthen fiscal sustainability at the subnational level in Brazil.
The program will finance measures to strengthen fiscal governance, modernize technology and operational processes, and build institutional capacity. It will improve cybersecurity, procurement and logistics, and promote transparency and fiscal citizenship, with a strong focus on inclusion.Additional measures will strengthen taxpayer registration, enforcement, and disputes resolution, improve budget and financial management, and reinforce systems to manage fiscal risks and recover public revenues.
These efforts are expected to facilitate tax compliance while increasing transparency and enabling higher-quality public spending and ultimately suport better public services for the population.
The loan has a 24-year maturity, a six-year grace period, and an interest rate based on SOFR. Counterpart financing totals $5.9 million.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/brazils-maranhao-state-improve-fiscal-sustainability-idb-support
SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Saipan to Help Small Businesses Impacted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku
WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Saipan to Help Small Businesses Impacted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku
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WASHINGTON -The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Saipan County to assist businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku occurring April 11 - 18.
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the BRC
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Saipan to Help Small Businesses Impacted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku
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WASHINGTON -The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Saipan County to assist businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku occurring April 11 - 18.
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the BRCin Saipan to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can also schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
The center's hours of operation are as follows:
SAIPAN MUNICIPALITY
Business Recovery Center
Marianas Business Plaza
Second Floor, Suite 201-A
Nauru Loop, Susupe
Saipan, MP 96950
Opens Tuesday, May 26 at 9:00 a.m.
Mondays - Fridays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"SBA's Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "Business owners can visit these centers to meet face-to-face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery."
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and PNPs -including faith-based organizations -with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 22. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 25, 2027.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/05/22/sba-opens-business-recovery-center-saipan-help-small-businesses-impacted-super-typhoon-sinlaku
Inter-American Development Bank: 'An Anatomy of the Great Reallocation in US Supply Chain Trade'
WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in May 2026 entitled "An Anatomy of the Great Reallocation in US Supply Chain Trade."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
Over the past decade, international trade and the conduct of trade policy have been severely upended by a series of events in quick succession. For the US, the wheels were set in motion with its adoption of unilateral tariff actions starting in 2018 under the first Trump administration.
These especially targeted imports from China, notably with the Section 301 tariffs
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in May 2026 entitled "An Anatomy of the Great Reallocation in US Supply Chain Trade."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
Over the past decade, international trade and the conduct of trade policy have been severely upended by a series of events in quick succession. For the US, the wheels were set in motion with its adoption of unilateral tariff actions starting in 2018 under the first Trump administration.
These especially targeted imports from China, notably with the Section 301 tariffsintended ostensibly to counter China's unfair practices on trade and market access. Implemented over four rounds in 2018-2019, these drove the US' average tariff rate against China up by around an additional 20 percentage points as of the end of 2019 (Bown, 2021; Chor and Li, 2024).1 By 2020-2021, amid the supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks during the Covid-19 pandemic, this push to reduce the US' dependence on China gained urgency with calls for more "friendshoring", "nearshoring", and even "reshoring".
These tariff shocks initiated a reshuffling in international trade and sourcing patterns, shifting the US away from China as a trade partner. Between 2017-2022, China's share in US direct imports fell from around 21% to 16%, with countries such as Vietnam and Mexico gaining much of this US import market share (see also, Dang et al., 2023; Grossman et al., 2024; Freund et al., 2024; Garred and Yuan, 2025). In our prior work (Alfaro and Chor, 2023), we had characterized this "great reallocation" in US supply chains as "looming" on the horizon. However, it is fair to say that this adjective can now be dropped without qualifications. While there was some initial uncertainty over whether the Biden administration might roll back the turn toward protectionism, it became clear by the middle of the 2020-2024 presidential term that the 2018-2019 tariff policies would remain largely in place for the foreseeable future. Hopes of a return to freer trade have since been further dashed by the Liberation Day tariff salvos fired off on 2 April 2025 by the second Trump administration.
In this paper, we set out to provide an update on this shakeup in US import patterns, to document the far-reaching impact of this ongoing reallocation in global trade and supply chain activity that has been centered for decades on the US as a key destination market. Our agenda is inherently descriptive. With a longer span of trade data up to 2025 now available, we are able to document the response of US import sourcing to the 2018-2019 wave of tariff shocks over the short- to medium-run. We investigate more closely the responses in these trade flows for detailed product codes (up to the HS 6-digit level of disaggregation), while correlating these with industry and product characteristics to ascertain the types of goods in which these sourcing shifts are occurring. We also take a preliminary look at the early aftermath of the Liberation Day tariff announcements, to examine the imprint these already have made on US import sourcing decisions.
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View full text here: file:///Users/moirasirois/Downloads/An-Anatomy-of-the-Great-Reallocation-in-US-Supply-Chain-Trade.pdf
[Category: IADB]
EPA IG: Independent Audit of the EPA's Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023 Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund Financial Statements
WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-F-0031) entitled "Independent Audit of the EPA's Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023 Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund Financial Statements."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Audit
To accomplish these objectives:
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act, requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General to perform an annual audit of the financial statements for
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following report (No. 26-F-0031) entitled "Independent Audit of the EPA's Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023 Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund Financial Statements."
Here are excerpts:
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Why We Did This Audit
To accomplish these objectives:
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act, requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General to perform an annual audit of the financial statements forthe Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund. Our primary objectives were to determine whether:
* The financial statements were fairly stated in all material respects.
* The EPA's internal controls over financial reporting were in place.
* The EPA's management complied with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements.
Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the EPA is responsible for reassessing the safety of older pesticide registrations against modern health and environmental testing standards, a process known as reregistration. To expedite the reregistration process, Congress authorized the EPA to collect fees from pesticide manufacturers. The EPA deposits these fees into the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund. The Act also requires the EPA to establish and publish performance measures, such as the number of pesticide products reregistered, canceled, or amended.
The EPA Received an Unmodified Opinion for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023
We rendered an unmodified opinion on the EPA's fiscal years 2024 and 2023 Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund, also known as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, Fund, financial statements. This means that the statements were fairly presented and free of material misstatement.
Material Weakness Noted
We noted the following material weakness: The EPA did not appropriately allocate an expense paid to the U.S. General Services Administration for the use of government facilities.
Compliance with Applicable Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant Agreements
We did not identify any instances of noncompliance with any applicable laws, regulations, contracts, or grant agreements. In addition, the Agency complied with the statutory performance measure requirements.
Recommendation and Agency Corrective Action We recommended that the chief financial officer and chief administrative officer record an adjustment to recognize a rent expense in the fiscal year 2024 FIFRA Fund financial statements. The EPA agreed with the recommendation and has completed the corrective action.
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The report is posted at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-05/_epaoig_20260519-26-f-0031_cert.pdf
