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DOD Real Property: Actions Needed to Better Ensure Efficient Leasing and Space Management in the Capital Region
WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
DOD Real Property: Actions Needed to Better Ensure Efficient Leasing and Space Management in the Capital Region
*
Fast Facts
DOD's need for office space in the National Capital Region-Washington, D.C. and surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia-is evolving, partly because of the return to in-person work and a changing workforce. In March 2025, DOD owned or leased about 35 million square feet of office space in the region.
To assess its office space needs, DOD requires its offices ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * DOD Real Property: Actions Needed to Better Ensure Efficient Leasing and Space Management in the Capital Region * Fast Facts DOD's need for office space in the National Capital Region-Washington, D.C. and surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia-is evolving, partly because of the return to in-person work and a changing workforce. In March 2025, DOD owned or leased about 35 million square feet of office space in the region. To assess its office space needs, DOD requires its officesand organizations to collect occupancy data for their workspaces. But some DOD organizations aren't reporting this data.
Without accurate data, DOD doesn't know whether it can consolidate unused spaces and reduce leasing costs. Our recommendations address this and other issues.
The Pentagon, a DOD Office Building in the National Capital Region
Photo of the Pentagon
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Defense (DOD) has periodically assessed its office space needs in the National Capital Region (NCR)-Washington D.C. and surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia-often relying on usage data.
Examples of Large DOD Office Buildings in the National Capital Region
In 2025, DOD issued guidance requiring collection of additional data on owned and leased office space usage, including the number of people occupying each workspace. However, GAO found that over half of DOD office spaces in the NCR had not reported occupancy data as of September 2025. Further, some of the submitted data likely included inaccuracies. GAO identified potential data entry errors and outliers in DOD data, and officials stated they were concerned whether data were free from error. Developing actions to enforce its guidance on the collection of occupancy data and establishing a process to ensure accuracy could help equip DOD with the data needed to consolidate unused space and reduce leasing costs.
DOD has established processes for entering into lease agreements in the NCR when government-owned space is not feasible but lacks key information for decision-making. For example, although Washington Headquarters Services has coordinated with the military departments on new leases, its inventory of leased office space did not include all DOD leased office space in the NCR, as of January 2026. GAO identified 17 leases executed by the military departments that were not included in the inventory. These leases constituted about 20 percent of leases and comprised over 492,000 square feet. Coordinating leases with the military departments would enable Washington Headquarters Services to better ensure the efficiency and economy of leasing decisions.
Washington Headquarters Services also does not have full visibility into the space available on military installations. Officials stated that they have relied on the military departments to coordinate with installations. Officials from the military departments told GAO they do not track or report available space. Establishing in guidance how Washington Headquarters Services is to coordinate with installations on available space, as DOD requires, should help DOD avoid entering into unnecessary leases and reduce costs.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOD managed about 35 million square feet of DOD-owned or leased office space in the NCR, as of March 2025. DOD's needs for and use of these spaces are dynamically changing, partly because of the return to in-person work and changing workforce needs.
The military departments are responsible for office space on their installations and may also execute leases. Washington Headquarters Services, within DOD, is responsible for space planning and management for office space outside installations and for reviewing leasing requests in the NCR.
House Report 118-125 includes a provision for GAO to review how DOD manages its real property needs in the NCR. This report evaluates the extent to which DOD has (1) assessed its office space needs and usage in the NCR and (2) established processes for entering into lease agreements for office space in the NCR.
GAO reviewed DOD needs assessments, occupancy data from April to September 2025, and leasing processes; interviewed DOD officials; and visited a non-generalizable sample of DOD-owned and -leased office spaces in the NCR.
Recommendations
GAO is making four recommendations to DOD, including to develop actions for enforcing occupancy reporting, establish processes for accurate occupancy data, and improve coordination between Washington Headquarters Services and the military departments on leases. DOD concurred with one recommendation, partially concurred with two, and nonconcurred with one. GAO continues to believe DOD should fully implement all of the recommendations, as discussed in the report.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment develops actions to enforce its guidance and the completeness of occupancy reporting, such as by holding Department of Defense organizations accountable for not reporting, and issuing guidance on the designation of reporting personnel. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment establishes a process for the creation and maintenance of accurate occupancy data that are reasonably free from error and represent office space occupancy in the National Capital Region. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that Washington Headquarters Services establishes in guidance a process for periodically coordinating with organizations executing leases to ensure its inventory of current leases is up to date. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure Washington Headquarters Services, in coordination with the military departments, establishes in guidance how they are to coordinate on the availability of unneeded office space on military installations in the National Capital Region. (Recommendation 4)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107818
VA Medical Facility Security: Actions Needed to Address Longstanding Risks
WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
VA Medical Facility Security: Actions Needed to Address Longstanding Risks
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Fast Facts
We testified on security challenges at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It is based primarily on the following reports:
Facility Security: VA Should Fully Implement Federal Security Requirements and Improve Performance Reporting
VA Facility Security: Policy Review and Improved Oversight Strategy Needed
We made five recommendations ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * VA Medical Facility Security: Actions Needed to Address Longstanding Risks * Fast Facts We testified on security challenges at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It is based primarily on the following reports: Facility Security: VA Should Fully Implement Federal Security Requirements and Improve Performance Reporting VA Facility Security: Policy Review and Improved Oversight Strategy Needed We made five recommendationsto VA in the reports covered by this statement. We will continue to monitor VA's progress in implementing the recommendations.
The U.S. Capitol building with the words GAO Testimony to Congress.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for securing its facilities. GAO has identified security challenges at VA medical facilities and made recommendations to help manage related risks.
In January 2018, for example, GAO found limitations with VA's risk assessment methodology and recommended VA review and revise its risk management policies to reflect interagency standards, and develop an oversight strategy to assess its facilities' risk management programs. VA has not yet fully implemented these recommendations as of April 2026.
In April 2026, GAO reported that its 2025 covert testing found security vulnerabilities at selected VA facilities. In some cases, VA security measures were not effective. Specifically, VA failed to detect most of GAO's covert tests related to security vulnerabilities it had previously identified in its risk assessments of its medical facilities. For example:
* In all 30 tests, VA staff did not detect a prohibited weapon that GAO investigators carried into the VA facilities, including two that had metal detectors.
* In 25 of 26 tests, VA staff did not confront an investigator drinking in plain view from a bottle labeled vodka-which is generally prohibited at VA facilities.
Undercover GAO Investigator Appearing to Drink Alcohol in a VA Medical Facility
Taking actions to address GAO recommendations would better provide VA with information it needs to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and prioritize security efforts to create a safe environment for veterans and VA staff.
Why GAO Did This Study
VA oversees the largest integrated health care system in the U.S., serving 9 million enrolled veterans at over 1,300 facilities. VA employees, veteran patients, and medical facilities have been the targets of violence, threats, and other security-related incidents in recent years, including nonviolent crimes such as disorderly conduct and theft.
The Interagency Security Committee (ISC)-which VA is a member of-developed a risk management standard that federal agencies must follow to identify and address the types of security vulnerabilities impacting their facilities.
GAO has conducted work related to the ISC's risk management standard and security at VA medical facilities. This statement, based primarily on three reports published from January 2013 to April 2026, discusses challenges VA faces related to the security of its facilities and actions that could help address those challenges, among other issues.
Recommendations
GAO has made five recommendations to VA in two reports to help address challenges related to securing its facilities. In April 2026 for example, GAO made three recommendations, including that VA develop a plan with milestones and assess resources needed to fully implement the ISC's risk management standard.
GAO will continue to monitor the agency's progress in implementing the recommendations.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-109020
DOD Financial Management: Questions Associated with New Financial Audit Approach
WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
DOD Financial Management: Questions Associated with New Financial Audit Approach
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Fast Facts
We testified on Department of Defense financial management.
Our testimony, given before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Operations, is based on multiple reports, including:
DOD Financial Management: Insights into the Auditability of DOD's Fiscal Year 2024 Balance Sheet
Financial Management: DOD Has Identified Benefits of Financial Statement ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * DOD Financial Management: Questions Associated with New Financial Audit Approach * Fast Facts We testified on Department of Defense financial management. Our testimony, given before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Operations, is based on multiple reports, including: DOD Financial Management: Insights into the Auditability of DOD's Fiscal Year 2024 Balance Sheet Financial Management: DOD Has Identified Benefits of Financial StatementAudits and Could Expand Its Monitoring
DOD Fraud Risk Management: Enhanced Data Analytics Can Help Manage Fraud Risks
We also discuss recommendations we've made.
The United States Capitol with the words GAO Testimony to Congress.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Defense (DOD) has never achieved an unmodified ("clean") opinion on its financial statements. Over the last 30 years, DOD's auditors have issued thousands of notices of findings and recommendations and identified associated material weaknesses. In recent years, DOD and its components have made some progress in their remediation efforts by achieving important milestones. For example, the Marine Corps first achieved a clean audit opinion for fiscal year (FY) 2023 and has achieved a clean opinion each subsequent year. DOD's financial statement audits and related efforts have also resulted in a range of benefits, including cost savings and avoidances, improvements to systems, and enhanced visibility over assets and inventory. These benefits, in turn, support improvements to operations, enhancements to DOD's overall readiness, and warfighter priorities.
After decades of unauditable financial statements and 8 years of undergoing full scope financial audits, DOD is taking a revised approach to achieve its goal of a clean audit opinion by the end of 2028. DOD revised its approach after the DOD Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a disclaimer of opinion on DOD's financial statements for FY 2025, meaning that DOD was unable to provide sufficient evidence for DOD OIG to form an opinion. The revised approach includes centralizing coordination, placing increased emphasis on investing in technology (including artificial intelligence), and ensuring evidence supports material account balances, rather than relying on underlying internal controls for producing reliable data.
DOD's Revised Approach to Achieving a Clean Audit Opinion by the End of 2028
Previous approach included
Revised approach includes
Decentralized response (bottom-up)
Centralized coordination (top-down)
Focus on correcting control deficiencies
Focus on material line items
Reliance on internal controls
Manual testing of large samples and using artificial intelligence tools, as needed
Source: GAO analysis of DOD documentation. | GAO-26-109115
DOD's renewed focus on auditability is encouraging. However, questions remain about how the revised approach will address DOD's other longstanding financial management issues and challenges. These include transparency and accountability in audit remediation (monitoring efforts to address overall audit findings); key IT and other material weaknesses; fraud risks; availability of trained financial management resources; and sustainability beyond 2028. These are important for DOD to consider in undertaking its revised approach.
Furthermore, this effort is likely to be labor and resource intensive and has important tradeoffs and risks. For example, under this approach, DOD would not prioritize remediating key internal control deficiencies for at least the next 2 years. Addressing these deficiencies is critical for producing reliable, useful, and timely financial information for decision-making. Stronger financial management could help DOD address critical issues such as unfunded priorities, ensuring it spends its funds appropriately, mitigating its fraud risks, and improving operations and readiness.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOD spends over $1 trillion annually to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of the United States. DOD's spending makes up almost half of the federal government's total discretionary spending, and its physical assets make up about 82 percent of the federal government's total physical assets. For FY 2027, the President has requested $1.5 trillion for DOD, a 44 percent increase from FY 2026.
DOD's inability to achieve a clean audit opinion is one of three major impediments preventing GAO from expressing an audit opinion on the U.S. government's consolidated financial statements. DOD obtaining a clean audit opinion is important for ensuring that its financial statements and underlying financial management information are reliable for decision-making. DOD's financial management has been on GAO's High-Risk List since 1995. In 2025, GAO expanded DOD's financial management high-risk area to include fraud risk management.
This testimony discusses (1) DOD's recent audit progress, realized benefits, and ongoing challenges; and (2) questions and important considerations as DOD implements its revised approach to achieving a clean audit opinion. This statement is primarily based on GAO's related body of work from 2020 through 2026; details on GAO's methodology can be found in each of the reports cited in this statement.
For more information, contact Asif Khan at khana@gao.gov, Vijay D'Souza at dsouzav@gao.gov, or Seto Bagdoyan at bagdoyans@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-109115
Head Start: Office of Head Start Could Improve Communication with Tribal Programs
WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Head Start: Office of Head Start Could Improve Communication with Tribal Programs
*
Fast Facts
Tribal Head Start programs help children in poverty get ready for school while incorporating Native language, culture, and traditions. But some Tribal Head Start programs reported challenges with enrollment, such as trouble hiring and retaining the staff needed to support the children.
Health and Human Service's Office of Head Start helps Tribal Head Start programs comply with federal requirements ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Head Start: Office of Head Start Could Improve Communication with Tribal Programs * Fast Facts Tribal Head Start programs help children in poverty get ready for school while incorporating Native language, culture, and traditions. But some Tribal Head Start programs reported challenges with enrollment, such as trouble hiring and retaining the staff needed to support the children. Health and Human Service's Office of Head Start helps Tribal Head Start programs comply with federal requirementsand navigate such challenges. However, some Tribal Head Start program officials told us they struggled with slow, conflicting, or no response when communicating with the agency.
Our recommendation addresses these issues.
A Playground with Native Elements at a Tribal Head Start Program
A courtyard in a pueblo-style building with playground climbing structures shaped like rocks, turtles, logs, and a canoe
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Office of Head Start (OHS) provides funding and technical assistance to support Tribal Head Start programs in teaching Native languages and culture. In fiscal year 2024, OHS provided $345 million for Tribal Head Start programs. OHS also provided training to 141 Tribal Head Start programs related to incorporating Native language, culture, and traditions in recent years. Each of the 10 selected Tribal Head Start programs GAO interviewed used immersion, dual language classrooms, or short language lessons to teach Native languages, as allowed by the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Indigenous Cultural Themes Incorporated into a Tribal Head Start Playground
OHS offers Tribal Head Start programs flexibilities, training, and technical assistance to help address enrollment concerns. Officials from selected Tribal Head Start programs spoke positively of support from OHS but reported communication challenges with OHS involving timeliness that impacted their use of the flexibilities. For example, to address challenges with hiring or retaining qualified staff, Head Start programs can apply for approval to reduce the number of program seats they are required to fill and may use funds from leftover seats to raise staff wages. In fiscal year 2024, OHS took an average of 199 days to communicate approval decisions to Tribal Head Start programs.
OHS reported a new intake process in August 2024. This reduced the average time to 91 days for the nine requests that were submitted after the new process began and were completed as of July 2025. However, 35 requests that were also submitted after the new process began were pending as of September 2025, with time frames ranging from 15 to 308 days. Five of 10 selected Tribal Head Start programs GAO interviewed in 2025 also said they did not receive timely communication from OHS about such requests, and one reported the lack of communication limited its ability to increase teacher compensation. OHS has not identified and addressed the causes of timeliness challenges, reported by selected Tribal Head Start programs, in its communication with the programs related to increasing enrollment. By doing so, OHS could help tribal programs avoid delays in their efforts to improve their enrollment numbers.
Why GAO Did This Study
According to OHS, Tribal Head Start programs are key to preserving and promoting Native language, culture, and traditions. They also help fulfill the federal government's trust responsibility to protect the interests of Tribal Nations. Yet, enrollment in Tribal Head Start programs has declined in recent years, from about 26,000 in school year 2018-2019, to about 18,000 children in school year 2023-2024.
GAO was asked to review the role of Tribal Head Start programs in promoting Native language and culture as well as their declining enrollment. Among other things, this report examines OHS's support for tribal programs in teaching Native language and culture and the extent to which OHS helps programs address their enrollment challenges.
GAO interviewed a nongeneralizable sample of 10 Tribal Head Start programs. Tribal programs were selected to reflect a variety of regions, experience operating Head Start programs, and enrollment. GAO conducted site visits to eight of the selected programs. GAO also analyzed the most recent OHS data, reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance, and interviewed OHS officials.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that OHS identify and address the causes of timeliness challenges in its communication with Tribal Head Start programs related to improving enrollment. OHS concurred with our recommendation.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of HHS should ensure OHS identifies and addresses the causes of challenges in the timeliness and consistency of its communication with Tribal Head Start programs related to improving enrollment. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107775
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Agencies Should Assess Risk of Ending Foreign Worker Program
WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Agencies Should Assess Risk of Ending Foreign Worker Program
*
Fast Facts
Time is running out for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands-a U.S. territory-to reduce its dependence on foreign labor.
A key visa program that supplements the small local population with foreign workers is scheduled to end by 2030. Foreign workers currently make up about 31% of the territory's workforce. Officials said the end of this visa program will ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Agencies Should Assess Risk of Ending Foreign Worker Program * Fast Facts Time is running out for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands-a U.S. territory-to reduce its dependence on foreign labor. A key visa program that supplements the small local population with foreign workers is scheduled to end by 2030. Foreign workers currently make up about 31% of the territory's workforce. Officials said the end of this visa program willhave severe adverse effects on the territory's economy.
We recommended that U.S. agencies work with the territory's government to assess the potential risks and identify ways to address them.
Construction is a key sector where workers are needed-shown here building a new student center at Northern Marianas College.
Construction crews working on new building
Highlights
What GAO Found
Over the past 2 decades, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) has experienced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the loss of its manufacturing sector. These challenges, along with a diminishing workforce, have contributed to its weak economic position.
The CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program is a temporary foreign worker permit program CNMI uses to employ foreign workers. GAO determined that these foreign workers in the CNMI remain a major segment of the territory's employed workers, accounting for approximately one out of three workers on average from 2020 through 2024 (see figure).
Share of U.S., Foreign, and Unknown Workers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Calendar Years 2020-2024
Note: We categorized workers whom we could not identify as U.S. or foreign on the basis of CNMI tax data as "unknown." Our categorization of these workers is based solely on CNMI tax data and is not a determination based on records underlying the data of whether any individual meets the definition of U.S. worker under the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018. Percentages shown for 2020, 2022, and 2024 do not sum to 100 because of rounding.
Foreign workers are especially important to the territory's primary industry, tourism, which has struggled to rebound following a 2018 typhoon and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to CNMI officials and business leaders, the CNMI does not have enough U.S. workers to fill current job openings and will continue to require foreign workers as its economy recovers.
The CW-1 program is set to expire on December 31, 2029. Officials from the CNMI government, business community, and educational institutions expressed concerns that the end of this program will have severe adverse effects on the economy. However, the extent of these potential effects is unknown.
The Department of the Interior (Interior) has been delegated administrative supervision for for managing the U.S. government's relations with the CNMI, including coordination with other federal agencies, such as the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor. Interior has also previously conducted or contributed to studies assessing different aspects of the CNMI workforce and economy.
However, Interior has not conducted a study to assess potential risks to the CNMI workforce and economy associated with the end of the CW-1 program. Interior officials said they have limited resources to conduct such an assessment but agreed it would be beneficial to decision-makers.
Congress previously stated its intent to minimize potential adverse economic and fiscal effects of phasing out the CW-1 program. Maintaining economic stability in the CNMI is vital to U.S. interests in the Pacific region. Without assessing the potential risks of ending the CW-1 program and identifying ways to mitigate them, the CNMI, Interior, and Congress will not have the information needed to make decisions regarding how to support the CNMI economy when the CW-1 program ends after December 31, 2029.
Why GAO Did This Study
The CNMI is a U.S. territory that consists of 14 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, just north of Guam and about 3,200 miles west of Hawaii. Its location in the Pacific provides the U.S. with military deployment flexibility and the ability to monitor expanding Chinese influence in the region.
Under the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, the Department of Homeland Security established the CW-1 program to provide for an orderly transition from the CNMI immigration system to the U.S. federal immigration system during a transition period. The Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018 (the act) extended the CW-1 program through December 31, 2029. The act sought, in part, to increase the percentage of U.S. workers in the total CNMI workforce while maintaining the minimum number of workers who are not U.S. workers to meet the changing demands of CNMI's economy. The act calls for various reports on the CNMI's progress toward this goal, including an annual report by the Governor of the CNMI identifying the ratio of U.S. workers to foreign workers in the workforce.
The act also includes a provision for GAO to report every 2 years on the ratio of foreign workers to U.S. workers in the CNMI workforce for the previous 5 calendar years.
GAO analyzed CNMI government and U.S. agency data and reports; reviewed prior GAO reports; observed economic conditions in the territory; and interviewed officials from the CNMI government, business leaders and education professionals in the CNMI, and officials from the Departments of Homeland Security, the Interior, and Labor.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that the Secretary of the Interior should ensure that the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, or other appropriate office, in collaboration with the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security, the CNMI government, and other U.S. agencies, as appropriate, conducts a study to identify, analyze, and determine options for responding to the potential risks to the CNMI workforce and economy associated with the end of the CNMI CW-1 nonimmigrant visa program.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior should ensure that the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, or other appropriate office, in collaboration with the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security, the CNMI government, and other U.S. agencies, as appropriate, conducts a study to identify, analyze, and determine options for responding to the potential risks to the CNMI workforce and economy associated with the end of the CNMI CW-1 nonimmigrant visa program.
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108239
2026 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation and Achieve an Additional One Hundred Billion Dollars or More in Future Financial Benefits
WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
2026 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation and Achieve an Additional One Hundred Billion Dollars or More in Future Financial Benefits
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Fast Facts
This is our 16th annual report on federal programs that have duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented goals or actions. We have suggested hundreds of ways to address those problems, reduce costs, or boost revenue. Congressional and agency action in these areas has yielded about $774.3 billion in cost savings ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * 2026 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation and Achieve an Additional One Hundred Billion Dollars or More in Future Financial Benefits * Fast Facts This is our 16th annual report on federal programs that have duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented goals or actions. We have suggested hundreds of ways to address those problems, reduce costs, or boost revenue. Congressional and agency action in these areas has yielded about $774.3 billion in cost savingsand revenue increases.
There are 610 remaining matters for congressional consideration and recommendations to agencies that could yield even more benefits. This includes 97 new matters and recommendations we identified in this report.
Addressing the remaining suggestions could save over $100 billion or more and improve government services.
U.S. currency in denominations of $100 bills.
Highlights
What GAO Found
GAO identified 97 new matters for congressional consideration and recommendations to federal agencies to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the federal government. These matters and recommendations highlight various risks that are heightened when duplication, overlap, and fragmentation are not managed effectively. Risks include a lack of consistent information on program effectiveness, increased costs or inefficient use of resources, access barriers for users, and increased risks of fraud, waste, and abuse.
Examples of New Topic Areas
Topic Area and description
Linked report number
VA and DOD Health Care Sharing Agreements. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) should evaluate agreements to share health care resources and identify more opportunities for sharing, which could better manage fragmented services, improve access to care, and potentially save tens of millions of dollars annually.
Report: GAO-25-107497
Government-wide Anti-Scam Strategy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation should collaborate with other agencies on a strategy to combat consumer scams, which could strengthen agencies' fraud prevention and detection capabilities and better manage fragmented and overlapping efforts.
Report: GAO-25-107088
Employment Support for Older Workers. The Departments of Education and Labor should increase coordination on workforce development programs, which could help the departments better manage fragmentation in employment programs and improve mission delivery.
Report: GAO-26-107439
Nuclear Waste Classification. The Department of Energy should evaluate opportunities to manage certain waste as non-high-level radioactive waste, which could help accelerate nuclear cleanup efforts, reduce environmental risks, and potentially save tens of billions of dollars.
Report: GAO-26-108018
Key: = Duplication, Overlap, or Fragmentation = Cost Savings or Revenue Enhancement
Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108505
As of March 2026, Congress and agencies had fully or partially addressed 1,662 (77 percent) of the 2,148 matters and recommendations GAO identified from 2011 to 2026. This has resulted in financial and other benefits such as improved interagency coordination and reduced mismanagement, fraud, waste, and abuse.
In particular, these efforts have cumulatively resulted in about $774.3 billion in financial benefits, an increase of about $49.3 billion from GAO's last report on this topic. These are rough estimates based on a variety of sources that considered different time periods and used different data sources, assumptions, and methodologies.
Total Financial Benefits of $774.3 Billion Identified in GAO's 2011-2026 Duplication and Cost Savings Annual Reports
Further steps are needed to fully address the matters and recommendations GAO identified from 2011 to 2026. Of the 610 open matters and recommendations, 182 (about 30 percent) have the potential for financial benefits. Legislation was introduced in the 118th or 119th Congress to address 30 (about 37 percent) of the 82 open matters. As of February 2026, legislation had not been enacted to fully address these matters, and they remain open.
GAO estimates that fully addressing the remaining open matters and recommendations could yield financial benefits of one hundred billion dollars or more and improve governmental services, among other benefits.
Examples of Open Topic Areas with Potential Financial Benefits
Topic area and description (GAO report number linked)
Mission
Potential financial benefits a
(Source of estimate)
Medicare Payments by Place of Service: Congress could realize additional financial benefits if it took steps to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to equalize payment rates between settings (e.g., physician offices and hospital outpatient departments) for all hospital outpatient departments, regardless of whether they are deemed on- or off-campus, for evaluation and management office visits and other services that the Secretary deems appropriate. ( GAO-16-189 )
Health
$156.9 billion over 10 years
(Congressional Budget Office)
Medicare Part B: Congress should consider eliminating the incentive to prescribe more drugs or more expensive drugs than necessary to treat Medicare Part B beneficiaries at hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. ( GAO-15-442 )
Health
Tens of billions of dollars
(Congressional Budget Office)
Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congress should consider reauthorizing FirstNet-including different options for its placement-and ensure key statutory and contract responsibilities are addressed before current authorities sunset in 2027. ( GAO-22-104915 )
Information Technology
$15 billion over 15 years b
(GAO analysis of the FirstNet Contract)
Individual Retirement Accounts: Congress should consider revisiting the use of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) to accumulate large balances and consider ways to improve the equity and efficiency of the existing tax expenditure on IRAs. ( GAO-15-16 )
General Government
Ten billion dollars or more
(Joint Committee on Taxation and the Department of the Treasury)
Navy Shipbuilding: The Navy could achieve cost savings by improving its acquisition practices and ensuring that ships can be efficiently sustained. ( GAO-20-2 )
Defense
Billions of dollars
(GAO analysis of Department of Defense data)
Student Loan Income-Driven Repayment Plans : The Department of Education should obtain data to verify income information for borrowers reporting zero income on Income-Driven Repayment applications. ( GAO-19-347 )
Training, Employment, and Education
More than $2 billion over 10 years
(Congressional Budget Office)
Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108505
a The potential financial benefits shown in this table represent estimates of amounts GAO or others believe could accrue if steps are taken to implement the actions described. The estimates are dependent on various factors, such as whether action is taken and how it is taken. Realized financial benefits may be less, depending on costs associated with implementing the action, unintended consequences, and the effect of controlling for other factors. The individual estimates in this table should be compared with caution, as they come from a variety of sources, which consider different time periods and use different data sources, assumptions, and methodologies.
b If FirstNet sunsets in 2027, it is unclear what will happen to the remaining $15 billion in scheduled annual payments, which FirstNet currently has authority to collect and reinvest.
Why GAO Did This Study
GAO is required to annually report on federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives-either within departments or government-wide-that have potentially duplicative goals or activities. As part of this work, GAO also identifies additional opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness that result in cost savings or enhanced revenue collection.
This report discusses new opportunities for achieving billions of dollars in potential financial benefits and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a wide range of federal programs. It also evaluates the status of prior matters for congressional consideration and recommendations for federal agencies related to the Duplication and Cost Savings body of work.
In addition, this report provides examples of other, still open matters and recommendations where further implementation steps could yield significant financial and other benefits.
For more information, contact Jessica Lucas-Judy at lucasjudyj@gao.gov or Cardell Johnson at JohnsonCD1@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108505
Recommendations for Congress: Action Can Cut Costs, Reduce Waste, and Improve Services
WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Recommendations for Congress: Action Can Cut Costs, Reduce Waste, and Improve Services
*
Fast Facts
In this Q&A report, we estimate that if Congress acts on the matters we've raised for their consideration, they could achieve tens of billions of dollars in financial benefits and improve federal program effectiveness across government.
Since 2000, we have recommended that Congress consider over 1,150 matters to address significant federal challenges. As of April 2026, 277 of these matters ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Recommendations for Congress: Action Can Cut Costs, Reduce Waste, and Improve Services * Fast Facts In this Q&A report, we estimate that if Congress acts on the matters we've raised for their consideration, they could achieve tens of billions of dollars in financial benefits and improve federal program effectiveness across government. Since 2000, we have recommended that Congress consider over 1,150 matters to address significant federal challenges. As of April 2026, 277 of these mattersremained open.
For example, one recommendation to consider directing Medicare to equalize payment rates across health care settings could save almost $157 billion over 10 years.
The United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Matters for congressional consideration are recommendations that GAO makes to Congress to address findings from GAO's work. Since 2000, GAO has recommended that Congress consider more than 1,150 matters, and nearly 80 percent of them have closed. Addressing these can result in savings. GAO previously identified financial benefits totaling $66 billion from fiscal year 2001 to March 2024 resulting from addressing matters where Congress was a contributing entity ( GAO-24-107146 ). As of April 9, 2026, 277 matters remained open.
Action to address certain open matters can produce tens of billions of dollars in future financial savings. Specifically, GAO identified 53 open matters that could result in financial benefits. Thirteen of these each have the potential to provide financial benefits of $1 billion or more (see table for some examples).
Examples of Open Matters with Potential Financial Benefits
Potential Financial Benefits
GAO Report
Recommendation Description
$156.9 billion over
10 years
Medicare: Increasing Hospital-Physician Consolidation Highlights Need for Payment Reform ( GAO-16-189 )
Congress should consider directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to equalize payment rates between medical settings for evaluation and management office visits and other services that the Secretary deems appropriate. The associated savings would be returned to the Medicare program.
$15 billion over 15 years
Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congressional Action Required to Ensure Network Continuity ( GAO-22-104915 )
Congress should consider reauthorizing FirstNet, including different options for its placement, and ensure key statutory and contract responsibilities are addressed.
$2.2 billion over 10 years
2014 Annual Report: Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Other Financial Benefits ( GAO-14-343SP )
Congress should consider passing legislation to require the Social Security Administration to offset Disability Insurance benefits for any Unemployment Insurance benefits received in the same period.
Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108896
The remaining open matters have the potential to provide numerous other benefits. Actions on these matters can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agencies and programs and help position the nation to address ongoing and future challenges. For example, as GAO recommended in July 2025, congressional action requiring major agencies to develop IT modernization plans could help decrease the likelihood of program failure that could expose agencies to security threats and performance issues ( GAO-25-107795 ).
Many of these matters could be addressed by legislation Congress is considering. As of February 2026, bills introduced in the 118th and 119th Congresses would have fully or partially addressed 103 (about 37 percent) of the 277 open matters. Of these, GAO identified legislation related to 21 matters that, if enacted, could cumulatively result in financial benefits to the government of tens of billions of dollars.
As shown in the figure below, GAO cataloged the open matters, which span a wide range of topics and involve many parts of the federal government. Topic areas include defense, economic development, energy, federal financial management, health, IT, and others.
Open Recommendations to Congress by Topic, as of April 9, 2026
Note: Percentages do not add to 100 due to rounding.
a Examples of topics in the "Other" category include consumer protections, financial regulation, and identity theft insurance.
Of the 277 open matters, 123 (about 44 percent) have been open for 5 years or less. The oldest open matter is almost 25 years old and remains highly relevant to addressing one of the issues on GAO's High-Risk List -Improving Federal Oversight of Food Safety.
Why GAO Did This Study
GAO issued this report in response to a provision in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. In producing this report, GAO used information from its internal system for tracking recommendations and matters for congressional consideration.
For more information, contact Jessica Lucas-Judy at LucasJudyJ@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108896
Open GAO Recommendations: Financial Benefits Could Be Between $132 Billion and $251 Billion
WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Open GAO Recommendations: Financial Benefits Could Be Between $132 Billion and $251 Billion
*
Fast Facts
In this Q&A report, we estimate that implementing our open recommendations could produce $132 to $251 billion in financial benefits to the federal government.
Typically, federal agencies implement over 75% of all GAO recommendations. Since 2002, this has produced $1.51 trillion in benefits. In 2025, GAO made over 1,800 new recommendations intended to save or raise money, help Congress, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Open GAO Recommendations: Financial Benefits Could Be Between $132 Billion and $251 Billion * Fast Facts In this Q&A report, we estimate that implementing our open recommendations could produce $132 to $251 billion in financial benefits to the federal government. Typically, federal agencies implement over 75% of all GAO recommendations. Since 2002, this has produced $1.51 trillion in benefits. In 2025, GAO made over 1,800 new recommendations intended to save or raise money, help Congress,and improve government.
Because we make recommendations on an ongoing basis, there is always an inventory of open ones-which you can find in our recommendations database.
Piles of coins and American currency with stylized white arrows and dotted lines superimposed on top pointing upwards.
Highlights
What GAO Found
GAO estimates that implementation of its open recommendations to federal agencies and matters for congressional consideration could result in $132 billion to $251 billion of measurable future financial benefits. Because GAO makes new recommendations on an ongoing basis, including over 1,800 in fiscal year 2025, there is always an inventory of open recommendations. These span the federal government and include many agencies and activities. According to GAO's simulation of potential financial benefits, a 10-percentage point increase in the share of recommendations implemented annually could increase financial benefits by billions of dollars in a typical year.
Potential Benefits of Open GAO Recommendations, as of October 2025
Note: To develop estimates of the potential financial benefits that could result from implementation of all its recommendations, GAO replicated the methodology used in GAO-24-107146.
In GAO's annual report on duplication and cost savings, GAO identified 24 recommendations with potential financial benefits of $1 billion or more, many of which are described in that report ( GAO-26-108505 ). For example
* Congress could equalize payment rates between physician offices and hospital outpatient departments for evaluation and management office visits and other services, which could save the Medicare program $156.9 billion over 10 years.
* Reauthorizing management of the broadband network for first responders and ensuring key statutory and contract responsibilities are addressed before current authorities sunset in 2027 could save $15 billion over 15 years.
* The Navy could save billions of dollars by improving its acquisition practices and ensuring that ships can be efficiently sustained.
While using different methods and serving different purposes, the simulation and the annual duplication and cost savings report arrive at essentially the same conclusion-one hundred billion dollars or more could be saved by implementing GAO recommendations. Furthermore, both approaches represent a subset of the full financial effect of GAO's work. In addition, most open recommendations do not have individual benefit estimates, in many cases because the data needed to develop them are not available at this time. A large share of GAO's recommendations produce valuable benefits that cannot be quantified credibly for this purpose, such as improved national security.
Why GAO Did This Study
Since 2002, GAO's work has resulted in about $1.51 trillion in financial benefits and almost 30,800 program and operational benefits that helped change laws, improve public safety and other services, and promote better management throughout the government. In fiscal year 2025 alone, GAO's work yielded $62.7 billion in financial benefits for the federal government.
The Senate report accompanying the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026, includes a provision for additional detail on the potential financial benefits associated with GAO's open recommendations to federal agencies and matters to Congress.
This report updates GAO's previous estimated ranges of potential financial benefits, which could result from implementation of all its open recommendations ( GAO-24-107146 ). GAO developed models to estimate ranges of potential financial benefits using its historical data on recommendations and realized financial benefits. GAO identified and mitigated limitations related to using the historical data for the model by testing several alternatives. Actual financial benefits will depend on whether, how, and when recommendations are addressed.
For more information, contact Jessica Lucas-Judy at lucasjudyj@gao.gov or Michael Hoffman at hoffmanme@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108932
2026 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation and Achieve an Additional One Hundred Billion Dollars or More in Future Financial Benefits
WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
2026 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation and Achieve an Additional One Hundred Billion Dollars or More in Future Financial Benefits
*
Fast Facts
This is our 16th annual report on federal programs that have duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented goals or actions. We have suggested hundreds of ways to address those problems, reduce costs, or boost revenue. Congressional and agency action in these areas has yielded about $774.3 billion in cost savings ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * 2026 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation and Achieve an Additional One Hundred Billion Dollars or More in Future Financial Benefits * Fast Facts This is our 16th annual report on federal programs that have duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented goals or actions. We have suggested hundreds of ways to address those problems, reduce costs, or boost revenue. Congressional and agency action in these areas has yielded about $774.3 billion in cost savingsand revenue increases.
There are 610 remaining matters for congressional consideration and recommendations to agencies that could yield even more benefits. This includes 97 new matters and recommendations we identified in this report.
Addressing the remaining suggestions could save over $100 billion or more and improve government services.
U.S. currency in denominations of $100 bills.
Highlights
What GAO Found
GAO identified 97 new matters for congressional consideration and recommendations to federal agencies to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the federal government. These matters and recommendations highlight various risks that are heightened when duplication, overlap, and fragmentation are not managed effectively. Risks include a lack of consistent information on program effectiveness, increased costs or inefficient use of resources, access barriers for users, and increased risks of fraud, waste, and abuse.
Examples of New Topic Areas
Topic Area and description
Linked report number
VA and DOD Health Care Sharing Agreements. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) should evaluate agreements to share health care resources and identify more opportunities for sharing, which could better manage fragmented services, improve access to care, and potentially save tens of millions of dollars annually.
Report: GAO-25-107497
Government-wide Anti-Scam Strategy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation should collaborate with other agencies on a strategy to combat consumer scams, which could strengthen agencies' fraud prevention and detection capabilities and better manage fragmented and overlapping efforts.
Report: GAO-25-107088
Employment Support for Older Workers. The Departments of Education and Labor should increase coordination on workforce development programs, which could help the departments better manage fragmentation in employment programs and improve mission delivery.
Report: GAO-26-107439
Nuclear Waste Classification. The Department of Energy should evaluate opportunities to manage certain waste as non-high-level radioactive waste, which could help accelerate nuclear cleanup efforts, reduce environmental risks, and potentially save tens of billions of dollars.
Report: GAO-26-108018
Key: = Duplication, Overlap, or Fragmentation = Cost Savings or Revenue Enhancement
Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108505
As of March 2026, Congress and agencies had fully or partially addressed 1,662 (77 percent) of the 2,148 matters and recommendations GAO identified from 2011 to 2026. This has resulted in financial and other benefits such as improved interagency coordination and reduced mismanagement, fraud, waste, and abuse.
In particular, these efforts have cumulatively resulted in about $774.3 billion in financial benefits, an increase of about $49.3 billion from GAO's last report on this topic. These are rough estimates based on a variety of sources that considered different time periods and used different data sources, assumptions, and methodologies.
Total Financial Benefits of $774.3 Billion Identified in GAO's 2011-2026 Duplication and Cost Savings Annual Reports
Further steps are needed to fully address the matters and recommendations GAO identified from 2011 to 2026. Of the 610 open matters and recommendations, 182 (about 30 percent) have the potential for financial benefits. Legislation was introduced in the 118th or 119th Congress to address 30 (about 37 percent) of the 82 open matters. As of February 2026, legislation had not been enacted to fully address these matters, and they remain open.
GAO estimates that fully addressing the remaining open matters and recommendations could yield financial benefits of one hundred billion dollars or more and improve governmental services, among other benefits.
Examples of Open Topic Areas with Potential Financial Benefits
Topic area and description (GAO report number linked)
Mission
Potential financial benefits a
(Source of estimate)
Medicare Payments by Place of Service: Congress could realize additional financial benefits if it took steps to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to equalize payment rates between settings (e.g., physician offices and hospital outpatient departments) for all hospital outpatient departments, regardless of whether they are deemed on- or off-campus, for evaluation and management office visits and other services that the Secretary deems appropriate. ( GAO-16-189 )
Health
$156.9 billion over 10 years
(Congressional Budget Office)
Medicare Part B: Congress should consider eliminating the incentive to prescribe more drugs or more expensive drugs than necessary to treat Medicare Part B beneficiaries at hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. ( GAO-15-442 )
Health
Tens of billions of dollars
(Congressional Budget Office)
Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congress should consider reauthorizing FirstNet-including different options for its placement-and ensure key statutory and contract responsibilities are addressed before current authorities sunset in 2027. ( GAO-22-104915 )
Information Technology
$15 billion over 15 years b
(GAO analysis of the FirstNet Contract)
Individual Retirement Accounts: Congress should consider revisiting the use of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) to accumulate large balances and consider ways to improve the equity and efficiency of the existing tax expenditure on IRAs. ( GAO-15-16 )
General Government
Ten billion dollars or more
(Joint Committee on Taxation and the Department of the Treasury)
Navy Shipbuilding: The Navy could achieve cost savings by improving its acquisition practices and ensuring that ships can be efficiently sustained. ( GAO-20-2 )
Defense
Billions of dollars
(GAO analysis of Department of Defense data)
Student Loan Income-Driven Repayment Plans : The Department of Education should obtain data to verify income information for borrowers reporting zero income on Income-Driven Repayment applications. ( GAO-19-347 )
Training, Employment, and Education
More than $2 billion over 10 years
(Congressional Budget Office)
Source: GAO. | GAO-26-108505
a The potential financial benefits shown in this table represent estimates of amounts GAO or others believe could accrue if steps are taken to implement the actions described. The estimates are dependent on various factors, such as whether action is taken and how it is taken. Realized financial benefits may be less, depending on costs associated with implementing the action, unintended consequences, and the effect of controlling for other factors. The individual estimates in this table should be compared with caution, as they come from a variety of sources, which consider different time periods and use different data sources, assumptions, and methodologies.
b If FirstNet sunsets in 2027, it is unclear what will happen to the remaining $15 billion in scheduled annual payments, which FirstNet currently has authority to collect and reinvest.
Why GAO Did This Study
GAO is required to annually report on federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives-either within departments or government-wide-that have potentially duplicative goals or activities. As part of this work, GAO also identifies additional opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness that result in cost savings or enhanced revenue collection.
This report discusses new opportunities for achieving billions of dollars in potential financial benefits and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a wide range of federal programs. It also evaluates the status of prior matters for congressional consideration and recommendations for federal agencies related to the Duplication and Cost Savings body of work.
In addition, this report provides examples of other, still open matters and recommendations where further implementation steps could yield significant financial and other benefits.
For more information, contact Jessica Lucas-Judy at lucasjudyj@gao.gov or Cardell Johnson at JohnsonCD1@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108505
Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage
*
Fast Facts
The Department of Labor administers the Black Lung Benefits Program. It provides benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled-i.e., unable to work-due to black lung disease. These benefits include payments and coverage for medical care.
We found that miners have experienced challenges with their benefits, such as lengthy claims processing times ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage * Fast Facts The Department of Labor administers the Black Lung Benefits Program. It provides benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled-i.e., unable to work-due to black lung disease. These benefits include payments and coverage for medical care. We found that miners have experienced challenges with their benefits, such as lengthy claims processing timesand difficulty obtaining medical coverage from coal mine operators. DOL does not monitor this coverage and may not know whether miners are receiving the care to which they are entitled.
Our recommendation addresses this issue.
Pile of coal in man's dirty hands
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Black Lung Benefits Program provides benefits (income and medical benefits) to coal miners who are totally disabled due to black lung disease. These miners may also receive other benefits, such as state workers' compensation payments, for their black lung disability. According to GAO's analysis, in 2024, there were 7,709 miner beneficiaries. Ninety-three percent of these miners were age 62 or older, and 87 percent received only federal black lung benefits for their disability. They may also have been eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. For the 7 percent who were under age 62, GAO found that most received additional benefits for their black lung disability. However, nearly one-fourth received only federal black lung benefit payments, which averaged $13,400 annually.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has taken some steps to address miners' challenges with federal black lung benefits. For example, to address lengthy claims, it uses timeliness performance measures for claims examiners on parts of the claim process that it controls. According to GAO's analysis of closed claims from 2013 to 2024, the median time for DOL to issue an initial decision was 0.7 years (see figure). Appealed claims took longer to close. Forty percent of approved claims were appealed. According to a DOL official, approved claims are generally appealed by responsible operators-the entities liable for claimants' benefits, such as coal mine operators.
Median Federal Black Lung Processing Time for Miner Claims, Jan. 2013-Aug. 2024
Miners in all six of GAO's focus groups reported challenges with black lung-related medical benefits, with two groups specifically noting difficulty obtaining coverage from responsible operators. DOL does not monitor responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. While DOL collects feedback from miners, it does not collect information on this topic. DOL officials said they regularly conduct surveys of miners and could add such a question to a survey. Without collecting information on and monitoring responsible operators' provision of medical benefits, DOL risks not achieving the mission of the program. As a result, miners might not receive the coverage of black lung-related medical expenses to which they are entitled.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOL is responsible for administering the Black Lung Benefits Program, by reviewing claim applications, issuing initial claim decisions, and administering benefits. About 22,500 beneficiaries, including miners, survivors, and dependents, received over $153 million in benefits in fiscal year 2025.
GAO was asked to review the federal and state benefits that miners and their families receive due to black lung disease. This report examines, among other things, (1) the benefits miners and their families receive for black lung disease and (2) the challenges miners and their families may have faced in obtaining federal black lung benefits and the steps DOL has taken to address these challenges.
GAO analyzed DOL benefits data for calendar year (CY) 2024, which included state workers' compensation benefits; Social Security Administration benefits data for February 2025; and DOL claims data for CY 2013-2024. GAO generated hypothetical benefits packages for miners. GAO conducted six focus groups with miners who had applied for federal black lung benefits in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. GAO interviewed miners, survivors, DOL officials, and black lung clinic representatives; and reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and agency documents. GAO assessed DOL's monitoring of responsible operator medical benefits against congressional budget justifications and federal internal controls.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that DOL collects information on and monitors responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. DOL agreed with this recommendation and stated it would add questions about medical benefits to its survey of miners.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Labor The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation collects information on and monitors responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. For example, this could include soliciting miners' feedback through DOL's existing customer experience survey. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107612
Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage
*
Fast Facts
The Department of Labor administers the Black Lung Benefits Program. It provides benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled-i.e., unable to work-due to black lung disease. These benefits include payments and coverage for medical care.
We found that miners have experienced challenges with their benefits, such as lengthy claims processing times ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage * Fast Facts The Department of Labor administers the Black Lung Benefits Program. It provides benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled-i.e., unable to work-due to black lung disease. These benefits include payments and coverage for medical care. We found that miners have experienced challenges with their benefits, such as lengthy claims processing timesand difficulty obtaining medical coverage from coal mine operators. DOL does not monitor this coverage and may not know whether miners are receiving the care to which they are entitled.
Our recommendation addresses this issue.
Pile of coal in man's dirty hands
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Black Lung Benefits Program provides benefits (income and medical benefits) to coal miners who are totally disabled due to black lung disease. These miners may also receive other benefits, such as state workers' compensation payments, for their black lung disability. According to GAO's analysis, in 2024, there were 7,709 miner beneficiaries. Ninety-three percent of these miners were age 62 or older, and 87 percent received only federal black lung benefits for their disability. They may also have been eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. For the 7 percent who were under age 62, GAO found that most received additional benefits for their black lung disability. However, nearly one-fourth received only federal black lung benefit payments, which averaged $13,400 annually.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has taken some steps to address miners' challenges with federal black lung benefits. For example, to address lengthy claims, it uses timeliness performance measures for claims examiners on parts of the claim process that it controls. According to GAO's analysis of closed claims from 2013 to 2024, the median time for DOL to issue an initial decision was 0.7 years (see figure). Appealed claims took longer to close. Forty percent of approved claims were appealed. According to a DOL official, approved claims are generally appealed by responsible operators-the entities liable for claimants' benefits, such as coal mine operators.
Median Federal Black Lung Processing Time for Miner Claims, Jan. 2013-Aug. 2024
Miners in all six of GAO's focus groups reported challenges with black lung-related medical benefits, with two groups specifically noting difficulty obtaining coverage from responsible operators. DOL does not monitor responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. While DOL collects feedback from miners, it does not collect information on this topic. DOL officials said they regularly conduct surveys of miners and could add such a question to a survey. Without collecting information on and monitoring responsible operators' provision of medical benefits, DOL risks not achieving the mission of the program. As a result, miners might not receive the coverage of black lung-related medical expenses to which they are entitled.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOL is responsible for administering the Black Lung Benefits Program, by reviewing claim applications, issuing initial claim decisions, and administering benefits. About 22,500 beneficiaries, including miners, survivors, and dependents, received over $153 million in benefits in fiscal year 2025.
GAO was asked to review the federal and state benefits that miners and their families receive due to black lung disease. This report examines, among other things, (1) the benefits miners and their families receive for black lung disease and (2) the challenges miners and their families may have faced in obtaining federal black lung benefits and the steps DOL has taken to address these challenges.
GAO analyzed DOL benefits data for calendar year (CY) 2024, which included state workers' compensation benefits; Social Security Administration benefits data for February 2025; and DOL claims data for CY 2013-2024. GAO generated hypothetical benefits packages for miners. GAO conducted six focus groups with miners who had applied for federal black lung benefits in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. GAO interviewed miners, survivors, DOL officials, and black lung clinic representatives; and reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and agency documents. GAO assessed DOL's monitoring of responsible operator medical benefits against congressional budget justifications and federal internal controls.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that DOL collects information on and monitors responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. DOL agreed with this recommendation and stated it would add questions about medical benefits to its survey of miners.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Labor The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation collects information on and monitors responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. For example, this could include soliciting miners' feedback through DOL's existing customer experience survey. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107612
Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage
*
Fast Facts
The Department of Labor administers the Black Lung Benefits Program. It provides benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled-i.e., unable to work-due to black lung disease. These benefits include payments and coverage for medical care.
We found that miners have experienced challenges with their benefits, such as lengthy claims processing times ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Black Lung Benefits Program: Miners Reported Experiencing Challenges, and DOL Should Monitor Operator-Provided Medical Coverage * Fast Facts The Department of Labor administers the Black Lung Benefits Program. It provides benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled-i.e., unable to work-due to black lung disease. These benefits include payments and coverage for medical care. We found that miners have experienced challenges with their benefits, such as lengthy claims processing timesand difficulty obtaining medical coverage from coal mine operators. DOL does not monitor this coverage and may not know whether miners are receiving the care to which they are entitled.
Our recommendation addresses this issue.
Pile of coal in man's dirty hands
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Black Lung Benefits Program provides benefits (income and medical benefits) to coal miners who are totally disabled due to black lung disease. These miners may also receive other benefits, such as state workers' compensation payments, for their black lung disability. According to GAO's analysis, in 2024, there were 7,709 miner beneficiaries. Ninety-three percent of these miners were age 62 or older, and 87 percent received only federal black lung benefits for their disability. They may also have been eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. For the 7 percent who were under age 62, GAO found that most received additional benefits for their black lung disability. However, nearly one-fourth received only federal black lung benefit payments, which averaged $13,400 annually.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has taken some steps to address miners' challenges with federal black lung benefits. For example, to address lengthy claims, it uses timeliness performance measures for claims examiners on parts of the claim process that it controls. According to GAO's analysis of closed claims from 2013 to 2024, the median time for DOL to issue an initial decision was 0.7 years (see figure). Appealed claims took longer to close. Forty percent of approved claims were appealed. According to a DOL official, approved claims are generally appealed by responsible operators-the entities liable for claimants' benefits, such as coal mine operators.
Median Federal Black Lung Processing Time for Miner Claims, Jan. 2013-Aug. 2024
Miners in all six of GAO's focus groups reported challenges with black lung-related medical benefits, with two groups specifically noting difficulty obtaining coverage from responsible operators. DOL does not monitor responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. While DOL collects feedback from miners, it does not collect information on this topic. DOL officials said they regularly conduct surveys of miners and could add such a question to a survey. Without collecting information on and monitoring responsible operators' provision of medical benefits, DOL risks not achieving the mission of the program. As a result, miners might not receive the coverage of black lung-related medical expenses to which they are entitled.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOL is responsible for administering the Black Lung Benefits Program, by reviewing claim applications, issuing initial claim decisions, and administering benefits. About 22,500 beneficiaries, including miners, survivors, and dependents, received over $153 million in benefits in fiscal year 2025.
GAO was asked to review the federal and state benefits that miners and their families receive due to black lung disease. This report examines, among other things, (1) the benefits miners and their families receive for black lung disease and (2) the challenges miners and their families may have faced in obtaining federal black lung benefits and the steps DOL has taken to address these challenges.
GAO analyzed DOL benefits data for calendar year (CY) 2024, which included state workers' compensation benefits; Social Security Administration benefits data for February 2025; and DOL claims data for CY 2013-2024. GAO generated hypothetical benefits packages for miners. GAO conducted six focus groups with miners who had applied for federal black lung benefits in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. GAO interviewed miners, survivors, DOL officials, and black lung clinic representatives; and reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and agency documents. GAO assessed DOL's monitoring of responsible operator medical benefits against congressional budget justifications and federal internal controls.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that DOL collects information on and monitors responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. DOL agreed with this recommendation and stated it would add questions about medical benefits to its survey of miners.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Labor The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation collects information on and monitors responsible operators' provision of medical benefits. For example, this could include soliciting miners' feedback through DOL's existing customer experience survey. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107612
Environmental Liabilities: Naval Reactors' Disposition Partnership on Track to Save Billions
WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Environmental Liabilities: Naval Reactors' Disposition Partnership on Track to Save Billions
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Fast Facts
The Department of Energy's Office of Naval Reactors manages 4 sites that conduct research and training to support the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet. The Office of Naval Reactors is responsible for cleanup of contaminated facilities and soil at these sites.
Our Q&A describes how the Office of Naval Reactors teamed up with DOE's environmental cleanup office-saving time and money by having ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Environmental Liabilities: Naval Reactors' Disposition Partnership on Track to Save Billions * Fast Facts The Department of Energy's Office of Naval Reactors manages 4 sites that conduct research and training to support the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet. The Office of Naval Reactors is responsible for cleanup of contaminated facilities and soil at these sites. Our Q&A describes how the Office of Naval Reactors teamed up with DOE's environmental cleanup office-saving time and money by havingthe cleanup office manage work using its best practices and nationwide network of contractors.
This partnership is on track to save the Office of Naval Reactors billions and potentially finish planned cleanup decades faster than the office could on its own.
Demolition of a DOE Office of Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho
A facility being demolished using explosives.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Naval Reactors (Naval Reactors) is responsible for cleaning up contamination at four DOE-owned sites impacted by its operations: one each in Idaho and Pennsylvania, and two in New York. Cleanup involves decontamination and decommissioning of excess facilities-including naval nuclear propulsion prototypes-and remediation of contaminated soil. Estimated costs for these cleanup activities are reported as federal environmental liabilities.
Demolition of the Submarine First Generation Westinghouse (S1W) Nuclear Propulsion Prototype Facility at the DOE Office of Naval Reactors Site in Idaho
In 2019, Naval Reactors partnered with DOE's Office of Environmental Management (EM) to conduct large-scale decontamination and decommissioning on its behalf. Naval Reactors estimated its environmental liabilities for the inventory of work planned for completion under the partnership would be $5.8 billion in 2025 dollars. EM estimates it can complete the work for approximately $1 billion-a potential $4.8 billion in cost savings if all planned work is completed. Naval Reactors officials attribute the majority of these potential cost savings to EM's nationwide network of experienced contractors.
Naval Reactors and EM initially established a target date of 2050 to complete all work under the partnership but recently accelerated the target date to 2035. Naval Reactors planning documents indicate potential funding shortfalls for EM work under this accelerated timeline, which could present challenges to completing all planned work by 2035. However, EM work completed to date indicates the partnership is on track to save billions, even if all planned work is not completed. Naval Reactors officials said the agency is prioritizing its remaining decontamination and decommissioning work to address its most contaminated assets first, thereby limiting exposure risk to the public and the environment.
Why GAO Did This Study
Since 2017, the federal government's environmental liability has been on GAO's High Risk List of programs and operations that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, or are in need of transformation. In fiscal year 2025, Naval Reactors had an estimated $6.5 billion in environmental liabilities for cleanup of contaminated facilities and the environment at the four DOE-owned sites.
Senate Report 118-188 includes a provision for GAO to evaluate Naval Reactors' plans for cleanup of legacy or excess contaminated facilities. This report focuses on Naval Reactors' cleanup at DOE-owned sites, including the impact on related environmental liabilities.
GAO assessed documents related to Naval Reactors' cleanup plans and cost estimates. GAO visited three of the four DOE-owned sites to better understand contamination and cleanup efforts at those locations. GAO also interviewed Naval Reactors headquarters officials responsible for developing and implementing the agency's decontamination and decommissioning strategy, as well as officials at each of the sites visited.
For more information, contact Nathan Anderson at andersonn@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108056
Department of Energy: Action Needed to Approve Advanced Test Reactor Spent Fuel Plan
WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Department of Energy: Action Needed to Approve Advanced Test Reactor Spent Fuel Plan
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Fast Facts
Testing the fuel needed for nuclear-powered naval fleets is crucial for national security. The Department of Energy's Advanced Test Reactor is the only reactor that can test nuclear fuel. But the reactor is aging and testing can be delayed for repairs and maintenance.
Also, the facility that stores the reactor's spent fuel is expected to reach capacity by 2030. DOE hasn't approved a plan on ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Department of Energy: Action Needed to Approve Advanced Test Reactor Spent Fuel Plan * Fast Facts Testing the fuel needed for nuclear-powered naval fleets is crucial for national security. The Department of Energy's Advanced Test Reactor is the only reactor that can test nuclear fuel. But the reactor is aging and testing can be delayed for repairs and maintenance. Also, the facility that stores the reactor's spent fuel is expected to reach capacity by 2030. DOE hasn't approved a plan onhow to store the spent fuel after 2030. Without a plan, testing will stop and the Navy's nuclear-powered fleets won't have vital test data to support its missions.
We recommended DOE complete a plan to ensure testing capabilities continue.
Idaho National Laboratory, Advanced Test Reactor Complex
A plot of land with several buildings, storage units, and silos.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Energy (DOE) faces two challenges affecting Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) operations in the near term. First, the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Office of Naval Reactors (Naval Reactors) is finding it increasingly difficult to meet testing requirements due to the age of the ATR, according to Naval Reactors officials. Second, Idaho National Laboratory's spent fuel management facility that stores ATR spent fuel is nearing capacity. However, while DOE is working to fund the facility reconfiguration, DOE has not yet completed its evaluation of its Idaho Operations Office's plan to reconfigure the facility to store spent fuel beyond 2030 when the facility will reach capacity. If DOE continues to delay approval of a reconfiguration plan to enable continued storage of ATR spent fuel after 2030, it risks a suspension of ATR operations, which provides vital testing capability that supports the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers.
Apart from the fuel storage issue, between June 2019 to March 2022 DOE identified three project options-through its Thermal Test Reactor Capability (TTRC) project-to maintain, modify, or replace the ATR and ensure an enduring thermal test reactor capability to meet the Navy's and other users' requirements through the mid- 2080s. The options were to (1) maintain and repair the ATR through the mid-2080s, (2) modify the ATR to improve its performance, or (3) replace the ATR with a new test reactor. DOE's cost estimates for these project options ranged from $4.9 billion to $19.8 billion.
Department of Energy's Advanced Test Reactor Complex and Interior View of the Idaho National Laboratory Spent Fuel Management Facility
In December 2025, DOE Office of Nuclear Energy officials told GAO the agency had suspended the TTRC acquisition project. They said that the plan, for now, is to maintain the ATR and improve its reliability to ensure operations until at least the early 2050s. GAO found that this new approach, similar to but less expensive than the first of the project options it identified, would cost approximately $1.26 billion over 20 years. However, DOE officials noted uncertainties in their estimate that may lead to higher costs. For example, DOE's estimate to replace heat exchangers in the early 2040's is technically complex and its estimate is primarily based on engineering judgement rather than a detailed, bottom up, cost analysis. DOE officials said they would continue to refine their approach along with cost estimates to meet ATR user requirements.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOE's Advanced Test Reactor started operating in 1967 at the Idaho National Laboratory. It is the only U.S. test reactor capable of meeting nuclear fuel and structural material testing requirements for the joint U.S. Navy and NNSA Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, which supports the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers. DOE and Naval Reactors identified an enduring mission need for a thermal test reactor capability through the mid-2080s, and began planning to address this need in 2019.
Senate Report 118-188 to accompany S. 4638, a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, includes a provision for GAO to review DOE's plans and estimated costs to continue operating or replace the ATR and report on any challenges associated with implementing these plans. This report examines (1) the status of ATR operations, (2) options DOE identified for ensuring an enduring thermal test reactor capability and associated costs, and (3) the status of DOE's plan for doing so. GAO reviewed ATR and TTRC project documents, toured the ATR, and interviewed DOE and Naval Reactors officials as well as other users of the ATR.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that DOE complete its evaluation of the Idaho Operations Office's research and test reactor spent fuel storage facility reconfiguration plan to enable continued storage and management of ATR spent fuel after 2030 and without an interruption to ATR operations. DOE concurred with this recommendation and detailed action it has planned to address it.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should direct the Office of Nuclear Energy senior leadership, in coordination with the Office of Environmental Management, to complete its evaluation of the Idaho Operations Office's research and test reactor spent fuel storage facility reconfiguration plan to enable continued storage and management of ATR spent fuel after 2030 without an interruption to ATR operations. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107969
U.S. Ports of Entry: Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership Programs
WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
U.S. Ports of Entry: Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership Programs
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Fast Facts
Over 1 million people and over 88,000 truck, rail, and sea containers entered the U.S. every day through 328 U.S. ports of entry in FY 2024.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection screens cargo and passengers at ports. To augment these services, CBP uses 2 public-private partnership programs. One allows partners, such as port authorities, to reimburse CBP for additional work outside regular hours. The other ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * U.S. Ports of Entry: Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership Programs * Fast Facts Over 1 million people and over 88,000 truck, rail, and sea containers entered the U.S. every day through 328 U.S. ports of entry in FY 2024. U.S. Customs and Border Protection screens cargo and passengers at ports. To augment these services, CBP uses 2 public-private partnership programs. One allows partners, such as port authorities, to reimburse CBP for additional work outside regular hours. The otheraccepts donations for infrastructure improvements, which could speed up CBP's work.
Since our 2024 report, CBP added 241 reimbursement partnerships and 24 donation partnerships. This brings the total number of partnerships to 639 and 70, respectively, since FY 2013.
Tablets for Enhanced Passenger Screening Procured through a CBP Partnership, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
An airport passenger screening area with a laptop computer on a desk and a tablet on a stand behind it.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Since GAO's January 2024 report, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continued to expand its public-private partnership programs-the Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) and the Donations Acceptance Program (DAP). The RSP ensures partners, such as port authorities or local municipalities that own or manage ports, reimburse CBP for providing services that exceed CBP's normal operations. For example, RSP partners pay overtime for CBP personnel that provide services at ports of entry outside regular business hours. The DAP enables partners to donate property or provide funding for ports of entry infrastructure improvements.
GAO found that CBP selected an additional 241 RSP applications for partnerships from October 2023 through December 2025, bringing the total of RSP selections to 639 since fiscal year 2013. CBP and its partners executed 798 memorandums of understanding for these 639 RSP partnerships. The memorandums outline how agreements are to be implemented at one or more ports of entry. Most (82 percent) of the memorandums cover agreements at air ports of entry. RSP partners reimbursed CBP a total of $302.8 million for overtime services for calendar years 2014 through 2025, according to CBP data.
Number of Applications U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Selected for Its Reimbursable Services Program (RSP), Fiscal Year 2013 Through December 2025
GAO previously reported that the number of requests for RSP services and the number of applications that CBP receives were increasing due to a post-COVID-19 rebound and CBP's outreach, particularly to general aviation partners. Officials told GAO that CBP's stakeholder outreach has included communicating application requirements and time frames and encouraging potential applicants to apply in advance of when they will need services.
CBP also entered into 24 new donation acceptance partnerships from October 2023 through December 2025, bringing the total number of agreements to 70 since fiscal year 2015. Partners span a variety of sectors such as state and local governments, private companies, and airline companies. Correspondingly, donations served a variety of purposes such as expanding inspection facility infrastructure (e.g., adding inspection lanes and booths), providing biometric detection services, and providing luggage for canine training. As of December 2025, 49 of the 70 projects were at land ports of entry. CBP officials estimated that the total value of all donations received from September 2015 through December 2025 was $277.3 million.
Why GAO Did This Study
On a daily basis in fiscal year 2024, over 1,150,000 passengers and pedestrians and over 88,500 truck, rail, and sea containers carrying goods worth approximately $9.2 billion entered the United States through 328 U.S. land, sea, and air ports of entry, according to CBP. To help meet demand for CBP inspection services, since 2013, CBP has entered into public-private partnerships under the RSP and DAP.
Congress asked GAO to review the agreements, along with the funds and donations that CBP has received under the RSP and DAP. This report is part of a body of work in response to a statute dating back to 2018. In this report, GAO updates key information from its January 2024 report by examining the status of CBP public-private partnership program agreements, including the purposes for which CBP used the funds and donations from these agreements in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
GAO collected and analyzed information on any new RSP agreements, DAP agreements, and memorandums of understanding for both programs for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. GAO also analyzed data on the use of the programs and interviewed CBP officials to identify any significant changes to how the programs are administered.
For more information, contact Heather MacLeod at MacLeodH@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108751
Mariner Training: Maritime Administration Should Share More Information About Financial Aid and Careers
WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Mariner Training: Maritime Administration Should Share More Information About Financial Aid and Careers
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Fast Facts
The U.S. maritime industry contributes substantially to the nation's economy. Mariners include civilian sailors, engineers, officers, and other crew who work on U.S. commercial or cargo ships. They may also be called to support the military in national emergencies.
The Maritime Administration is responsible for ensuring that enough mariners are trained to work in the industry. ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Mariner Training: Maritime Administration Should Share More Information About Financial Aid and Careers * Fast Facts The U.S. maritime industry contributes substantially to the nation's economy. Mariners include civilian sailors, engineers, officers, and other crew who work on U.S. commercial or cargo ships. They may also be called to support the military in national emergencies. The Maritime Administration is responsible for ensuring that enough mariners are trained to work in the industry.It shares information about its own financial aid program, but has done less outreach on aid programs available through other agencies. This means that students may be missing out on aid that they're eligible to receive.
Our recommendations address these issues.
A large cargo ship sailing towards land.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Mariner students typically take training courses to begin or advance their careers, and many such courses are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to meet requirements for credentials to work on vessels. Institutions offering USCG-approved courses include one national and six state maritime academies, colleges and universities, and other training institutions such as ones affiliated with maritime unions. Of non-academy institutions, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has designated 47 as part of the Centers of Excellence program for domestic maritime workforce training. The eligibility of training institutions for federal financial aid varies. For example, maritime academies are eligible for aid from MARAD and the Departments of Education and Veterans Affairs (VA). In contrast, most other training institutions do not have the approvals required for mariner students to use available aid. Of the 197 non-academy institutions that offered USCG-approved courses as of August 2025, GAO's analysis found that less than 20 percent of them were approved to accept aid through the Departments of Education, VA, or Labor.
Figure: Example of Mariner Career Pathway with Deck Roles
MARAD has taken limited steps to help address challenges that mariner training institutions face in being able to accept federal financial aid. Survey respondents from 26 Center of Excellence institutions that offer mariner training said they face challenges such as navigating separate approval processes for Education, VA, and Labor. MARAD has identified strategies to address some of the challenges but has taken limited steps to implement them due to staff resource constraints. By leveraging existing resources, such as the U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS), a federal interagency coordinating committee, MARAD could work with other agencies to help address challenges, such as sharing expertise from VA and Labor on aid approval processes.
MARAD has shared information about its financial aid, and its strategies call for publicizing other agencies' financial aid. However, MARAD has taken limited steps to implement these strategies. GAO's review of MARAD websites found links to other agencies' websites with little context on their financial aid, such as type of aid offered. Respondents from 11 of 26 surveyed institutions reported that MARAD had not communicated with them in the past 3 years on aid available to students, and respondents from another 11 institutions reported they did not know if MARAD had offered such communication. While MARAD has limited resources, additional targeted action to promote financial aid, such as using social media, could help MARAD reach more students. In addition, promoting available financial aid would better position MARAD to support its mission of growing the maritime workforce to promote national and economic security.
Why GAO Did This Study
The maritime industry relies on mariners to work on vessels carrying goods and passengers domestically and internationally. However, industry stakeholders have raised concerns about a mariner shortage. To work in the industry, mariners often take courses through a training institution. MARAD and the Departments of Education, VA, and Labor administer federal financial aid that students could use for mariner training.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 contains a provision for GAO to review issues related to federal financial aid for mariner training. This report addresses: 1) use of aid available for mariner training through MARAD, Education, VA, and Labor; 2) challenges mariner training institutions face related to this aid and MARAD's steps to address those challenges; and 3) MARAD's communication about aid available for mariner training. GAO reviewed MARAD documents and analyzed data from federal agencies and selected training institutions on financial aid for mariner training for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. GAO interviewed officials from MARAD, Education, VA, Labor, USCG, and four maritime unions. GAO also obtained information from a selection of mariner training institutions, including through a survey of 47 institutions in the Centers of Excellence program; 46 institutions responded.
Recommendations
GAO is making four recommendations to MARAD, including that it leverage the CTMS to identify options to help mariner training institutions address challenges in accessing federal aid programs and that it identify and use targeted actions to share more information about other federal agencies' financial aid. MARAD agreed with the recommendations.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Maritime Administration The Administrator of the Maritime Administration should leverage the CMTS to identify options to help institutions that offer mariner training address challenges in accessing federal aid programs, including institutions with USCG-approved courses. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Maritime Administration The Administrator of the Maritime Administration should request that CMTS include information about federal financial aid for mariner training in the Federal Funding Handbook. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Maritime Administration The Administrator of the Maritime Administration should identify and use targeted approaches to help raise awareness of the available federal financial aid for mariner training provided through the Departments of Education, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Maritime Administration The Administrator of the Maritime Administration should identify and use targeted approaches, such as social media efforts, to help raise awareness of maritime careers, including raising awareness on the various types of mariner occupations and training pathways. (Recommendation 4)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108184
High-Tech Medical Equipment: VA Has Opportunities to Improve Its Acquisition of Maintenance Services
WASHINGTON, May 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
High-Tech Medical Equipment: VA Has Opportunities to Improve Its Acquisition of Maintenance Services
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Fast Facts
The Department of Veterans Affairs spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to buy and maintain high-tech medical equipment like MRI machines.
Because caring for this equipment requires specialized training, the VA often buys maintenance services directly from manufacturers. It can use agency-wide contracts to do so, which reduces red tape and helps the VA get the best ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * High-Tech Medical Equipment: VA Has Opportunities to Improve Its Acquisition of Maintenance Services * Fast Facts The Department of Veterans Affairs spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to buy and maintain high-tech medical equipment like MRI machines. Because caring for this equipment requires specialized training, the VA often buys maintenance services directly from manufacturers. It can use agency-wide contracts to do so, which reduces red tape and helps the VA get the bestavailable price.
But some officials didn't use these contracts because of poor guidance and resources. This resulted in spending unnecessary time awarding new contracts that didn't get VA a better price.
Our recommendations address these issues and more.
Mobile Magnetic Resonance Machine Imaging Equipment
An MRI machine, which looks like a medical exam table positioned at the opening of a large plastic cylinder with a hole large enough for the exam table to enter.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to buy and maintain high-tech medical equipment (HTME)-such as magnetic resonance imaging equipment-to deliver health care to veterans. To maintain this equipment, and help ensure its safe use, medical centers can purchase maintenance services-often from equipment manufacturers-using agencywide or stand-alone contracts. Agencywide contracts help VA leverage its buying power to obtain quality medical equipment at the best prices possible.
VA's approach to buying HTME, uses agencywide contracts that generally support equipment maintenance. But not all regional contracting officials use these contracts when buying maintenance services and some unknowingly duplicated other officials' work by awarding their own contracts for the services.
Example of High-Tech Medical Equipment
GAO found VA procurement guidance contained inconsistent information about whether the agency-wide contracts for HTME are mandatory when purchasing maintenance services. Additionally, regional contracting officials found the national contracting office resources for purchasing maintenance services to be unclear. Clarifying these resources and guidance on whether agencywide HTME contracts are mandatory and how to appropriately use them would reduce administrative burden and could save the government time and money.
Selected medical centers generally reported satisfaction with maintenance services, and equipment was maintained per policy. These centers generally obtained similar prices as the agencywide contracts for selected equipment. However, GAO also found instances where regional contracting officials were not efficiently purchasing maintenance services. For example, in a few instances, officials did not clearly document the services purchased or verify that the prices paid matched the prices offered through the agencywide contracts. In one case, officials paid a higher price than the agencywide contract offered for the same service. Regional contracting officials responsible for purchasing maintenance attributed these instances in part to difficulty using resources for VA's agencywide HTME contracts, and said they plan to seek a refund for the overpayment.
Why GAO Did This Study
In fiscal year 2024, VA obligated over $608 million for the purchase of HTME and related services, including maintenance. Since 2019, VA Acquisition Management has been on GAO's High-Risk list, partially due to challenges with VA's acquisition approach.
GAO was asked to review how VA uses contracts to maintain HTME and whether its approach provides the needed flexibility to meet the agency's mission. This report examines the extent to which (1) VA's acquisition approach for purchasing HTME supports HTME maintenance and (2) the selected medical centers' approaches to maintenance result in satisfactory and cost-effective maintenance, among other objectives.
GAO analyzed VA's HTME strategic sourcing contracts and data for federal procurement, contract performance, and equipment maintenance from fiscal years 2022 through 2024. GAO selected a nongeneralizable sample of eight medical centers and 16 maintenance orders and contracts based on diverse geographic regions, medical center characteristics, and contracting approaches. GAO conducted site visits and interviewed relevant regional and national contracting officials.
Recommendations
GAO is making three recommendations to VA, including that VA clarify guidance and resources for using agencywide contracts to purchase HTME maintenance services. VA agreed with the recommendations and has plans to review and update its guidance and resources.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure the Associate Executive Director of the National Acquisition Center evaluates how best to purchase maintenance services for radiation therapy equipment, including considering whether to modify the HTME base contracts to include these services. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure that the Veterans Health Administration Heads of Contracting Activity determine whether HTME base contracts are designated as mandatory for purchasing HTME maintenance services and reflect this decision across agency procurement guidance to contracting officials, including updating expired HTME guidance. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure the Associate Executive Director of the National Acquisition Center provides guidance and training to Veterans Health Administration contracting officials to facilitate effective use of the HTME base contracts, including updating its resources and identifying relevant information that regional officials should use when comparing prices and explaining how to use the center's HTME resources. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107792
Veteran Affairs: Acquisition Reorganization Should Reflect Leading Practices
WASHINGTON, May 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Veteran Affairs: Acquisition Reorganization Should Reflect Leading Practices
*
Fast Facts
The Department of Veterans Affairs spends tens of billions of dollars each year on goods and services it needs to carry out its mission. For years, we've reported that VA has had difficulties managing these acquisitions.
Now, VA is reorganizing-including some offices with responsibility for acquisitions.
We recommended that VA follow some of our leading practices for agency reform as it reorganizes, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Veteran Affairs: Acquisition Reorganization Should Reflect Leading Practices * Fast Facts The Department of Veterans Affairs spends tens of billions of dollars each year on goods and services it needs to carry out its mission. For years, we've reported that VA has had difficulties managing these acquisitions. Now, VA is reorganizing-including some offices with responsibility for acquisitions. We recommended that VA follow some of our leading practices for agency reform as it reorganizes,such as setting goals and involving key stakeholders. Doing so would increase the likelihood of a successful reorganization.
The Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has long encountered challenges in executing and managing its acquisitions. For example, a 2015 independent review identified VA's supply chain management as unduly complex and duplicative. VA acquisition management has been on GAO's High Risk List since 2019 because of challenges such as inconsistent leadership and lack of strategic planning. While subsequent high-risk updates have noted meaningful progress, GAO continues to find persistent challenges with VA's acquisition.
VA's current acquisition workforce is large and decentralized. While most contracting officials are in VA's operating administrations, primarily the Veterans Health Administration, others are located in offices across the department. The Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction oversees four department-level contracting organizations, but acquisition is dispersed among multiple levels across the agency. As of November 2025, VA's acquisition workforce consisted of 2,658 contracting officials, spread across numerous organizations.
Number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Veterans Affairs Contracting Officials (as of November 2025)
VA and its administrations have taken steps in recent years to reorganize some aspects of its acquisition function. However, these efforts were relatively modest and did not collectively address the persistent fundamental challenges GAO has found in the past, such as managing its acquisition workforce and supply chain.
Between April and November 2025, VA has reduced its contracting staff by approximately 15 percent and taken some initial steps toward reorganization. For example, in November 2025, VA announced that it plans to realign all procurement offices under a centralized structure at the department-level. However, as of February 2026, VA had yet to develop a full, broader plan that addresses all elements for the reorganization of its acquisition function, which remain under review, according to officials.
Major reforms can be challenging and applying selected leading practices for agency reform would improve VA's chances of success in its reorganization effort. GAO identified the following five leading practices that could help VA ensure the reorganization's success: establishing goals and outcomes, involving key stakeholders and employees in developing reforms, managing and monitoring progress, conducting strategic workforce planning, and strengthening employee engagement during proposed reforms. Applying our leading practices for agency reform in planning, executing, and monitoring outcomes would allow VA to more effectively purchase the goods and services needed care to the nation's veterans.
Why GAO Did This Study
VA manages one of the largest acquisition enterprises in the federal government-obligating tens of billions annually on health care, IT, construction, and benefits delivery. VA acquisition management has been on GAO's High-Risk List since 2019 due to management challenges in the areas of developing adequate strategies and policies, managing its supply chain, managing its acquisition workforce, and providing consistent leadership and execution of acquisition management priorities.
GAO was asked to examine VA's acquisition organizational structure as the agency begins reorganizing. This report discusses acquisition management challenges that GAO has identified from previous work and identifies selected leading practices for agency reform to consider as VA reorganizes its acquisition function.
For this report, GAO reviewed VA documentation and interviewed acquisition officials.
Recommendations
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure that the Principal Executive Director for the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, as the Chief Acquisition Officer, applies selected leading practices for agency reform including establishing goals and outcomes, involving key stakeholders and employees, managing and monitoring progress, conducting strategic workforce planning, and strengthening employee engagement, when reorganizing the department's acquisition function.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure that the Principal Executive Director for the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, as the Chief Acquisition Officer, applies selected leading practices for agency reform including establishing goals and outcomes, involving key stakeholders and employees, managing and monitoring progress, conducting strategic workforce planning, and strengthening employee engagement, when reorganizing the department's acquisition function. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108474
Compacts of Free Association: Education and Health Remain Priorities, but Implementation and Oversight Are Delayed
WASHINGTON, May 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Compacts of Free Association: Education and Health Remain Priorities, but Implementation and Oversight Are Delayed
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Fast Facts
Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau are 3 countries in the Indo-Pacific that receive U.S. assistance under special agreements known as compacts of free association.
All 3 countries intend to use most funding from the compacts for education and health priorities, such as maintaining schools and medical facilities.
However, their use of funding has been ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, May 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Compacts of Free Association: Education and Health Remain Priorities, but Implementation and Oversight Are Delayed * Fast Facts Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau are 3 countries in the Indo-Pacific that receive U.S. assistance under special agreements known as compacts of free association. All 3 countries intend to use most funding from the compacts for education and health priorities, such as maintaining schools and medical facilities. However, their use of funding has beenslowed by various factors, such as construction labor shortages driven by population loss. In addition, the countries' and U.S. efforts to oversee the compact funding have been delayed.
Completed School Buildings in Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands-Built with Compact Funding from Prior Years
Multiple buildings with outdoor hallways.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Economic conditions in the Freely Associated States (FAS)-the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau-include population loss and economic decline. FSM's population decreased by 26 percent between the 2010 and 2023 censuses, and RMI lost 20 percent of its population from 2011 to 2021. U.S. and FAS officials said high levels of out-migration have exacerbated skilled labor shortages and rising costs for government services. Though Palau's population has remained relatively stable, a sharp drop in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic drove a decline in its gross domestic product from 2019 through 2022.
The three countries plan to use compact funding to prioritize education and health. Their allocations of compact grants for fiscal year (FY) 2025 largely support personnel salaries in the education and health sectors, and the countries plan to use compact infrastructure funds for projects that include schools and hospitals. However, FAS officials told GAO that project implementation has encountered obstacles such as delayed compact funds disbursement, rising construction costs, and labor shortages.
Examples of Compact-Funded Projects in the Marshall Islands, May 2025
The FAS have not yet met certain oversight requirements established by the amended compacts, while U.S. oversight efforts are underway with some delays. Most documents that FSM, RMI, and Palau are required to submit were not submitted on time, and some remain outstanding. For example, since FY 2019, all three countries' required single audit reports-critical to U.S. compact oversight efforts-have been late. FAS officials said they are taking steps to improve the reports' timeliness, such as by increasing financial accounting capacity. U.S. agencies have begun to implement oversight efforts. For example, the U.S.-FSM and U.S.-RMI joint management and accountability committees met in August 2025. However, delayed U.S. appointments to these committees affected members' ability to discuss all planned issues. Also, the Interagency Group on the Freely Associated States submitted its FY 2024 report on its activities and recommendations for compact implementation to Congress 10 months late. State Department officials told GAO that plans to establish and staff a unit to support FAS relations and compact implementation by March 2029 had been paused due to the federal government's hiring freeze and operational constraints.
Why GAO Did This Study
The U.S. has provided economic assistance through compacts of free association to FSM and RMI since 1986 and to Palau since 1994. This assistance-including grants overseen by the U.S. Department of the Interior as well as programs and services provided by various U.S. agencies-is intended to promote the economic advancement and self-sufficiency of the FAS. The compacts also provide the U.S. with military access in these strategically located countries in the Pacific.
In 2023, the U.S. signed amended compacts with FSM, RMI, and Palau, extending economic assistance for another 20 years. The compacts provide for, among other things, grant assistance and trust fund contributions for the FSM, RMI, and Palau that total to more than $6 billion collectively through 2043.
The Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 included a provision for GAO to review U.S. assistance provided under the amended 2023 compacts. This report (1) describes economic conditions and associated risks in each of the FAS, (2) describes funding provided under the amended compacts as well as planned uses of the funding, and (3) examines the extent to which the FAS and U.S. agencies have met selected oversight requirements established by the compacts. GAO reviewed relevant documents and data. GAO also observed projects funded by compact assistance and interviewed FAS and U.S. government officials in the three countries in 2025.
For more information, contact Latesha Love Grayer at lovegrayerl@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107778