Featured Stories
Nuclear Waste: DOE's Plans to Complete Cleanup and Transfer of Moab Mill Site
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Nuclear Waste: DOE's Plans to Complete Cleanup and Transfer of Moab Mill Site
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Fast Facts
The Moab Mill Site in Utah processed uranium during the Cold War era. The surrounding groundwater was contaminated and flowed into the Colorado River, posing environmental risks. The Department of Energy is responsible for cleaning up the site.
In this Q&A we reviewed the progress of DOE's ongoing cleanup efforts. We found:
Over 16 million tons of waste has been disposed of
Total cleanup costs
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Nuclear Waste: DOE's Plans to Complete Cleanup and Transfer of Moab Mill Site
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Fast Facts
The Moab Mill Site in Utah processed uranium during the Cold War era. The surrounding groundwater was contaminated and flowed into the Colorado River, posing environmental risks. The Department of Energy is responsible for cleaning up the site.
In this Q&A we reviewed the progress of DOE's ongoing cleanup efforts. We found:
Over 16 million tons of waste has been disposed of
Total cleanup costsare expected to be about $1.16 billion
Cleanup should be completed by 2029
After completion, DOE plans to transfer ownership of most of the land to the local community. But these plans are still being developed.
Cleanup Efforts Include Transporting Waste from the Moab Mill Site to an Offsite Location
A truck with a large container driving on a road with mountains and land of mostly dirt in the background.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Through the Moab Cleanup Project, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) has removed over 16 million tons of uranium mill tailings and other materials at the Moab Mill Site in Utah, as of 2026. Tailings are leftover waste after uranium has been removed from rock. EM has sent the tailings and contaminated material to a nearby disposal site. EM is also working to remediate contaminated groundwater, which threatens the nearby Colorado River.
Moab Mill Site and Surrounding Area
The Moab Cleanup Project has cost approximately $970 million through fiscal year 2025 and is expected to reach around $1.16 billion. The federal government pays 100 percent of the cleanup costs.
EM is planning to finish cleanup and close the disposal site by 2029. Once cleanup is complete, DOE's Office of Legacy Management (LM) will take over long-term federal management responsibilities for the mill and disposal sites. EM and LM are coordinating on the future transfer of responsibility for long-term federal management of the sites through formal agreements and an integrated project team. DOE will maintain ownership of the disposal site but has not made a final decision about the mill site. However, EM expects to transfer ownership of most of the Moab Mill Site to Grand County, Utah after EM finishes cleanup. If this happens, DOE would prefer that the community determine the mill site's future use, and community stakeholders have proposed a plan that would include various recreational uses.
Why GAO Did This Study
EM is responsible for addressing hazardous and radioactive waste at sites contaminated from decades of nuclear weapons production and nuclear energy research. EM is cleaning up the Moab Mill Site, which was used to process uranium ore, under the oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Senate Report 118-188 includes a provision for GAO to examine EM's efforts as the Moab Cleanup Project nears completion. GAO's report provides information related to the status of these efforts and future plans for the site.
GAO reviewed relevant laws, regulations, and agency documentation related to DOE's Moab Cleanup Project. GAO interviewed a nongeneralizable sample of five key stakeholder groups, including the Moab city government and the Utah Department of Natural Resources, and assessed the extent to which EM has followed leading practices for engaging stakeholders.
For more information, contact Nathan Anderson at AndersonN@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108654
Science & Tech Spotlight: Microplastics in the Body and Environment
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Microplastics in the Body and Environment
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Highlights
Why This matters
Across the globe, over 24 million tons of plastic (as much weight as 12 million cars) enter the environment each year. Larger plastics gradually break down into smaller microplastics, which can move into the organs, blood, and cells of humans and other animals.
Key Takeaways
* Major sources of microplastics include vehicle tires, synthetic fabrics, plastic bottles, and paint.
* Exposure
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Microplastics in the Body and Environment
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Highlights
Why This matters
Across the globe, over 24 million tons of plastic (as much weight as 12 million cars) enter the environment each year. Larger plastics gradually break down into smaller microplastics, which can move into the organs, blood, and cells of humans and other animals.
Key Takeaways
* Major sources of microplastics include vehicle tires, synthetic fabrics, plastic bottles, and paint.
* Exposureto microplastics is associated with health problems in humans and other organisms, but scientists have not determined the extent to which microplastics cause such problems.
* Federal agencies have announced actions to measure and remove microplastics in the human body, consider potential regulation of microplastics in drinking water, and reduce microplastic exposure from synthetic fabrics.
The Science
What is it? Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5,000 micrometers (i.e., 5 millimeters). The smallest microplastics, called "nanoplastics," are smaller than 1 micrometer (see fig. 1).
Figure 1. Relative Sizes of Microplastics
Some microplastics are intentionally produced. For example, exfoliating products and toothpastes containing plastic microbeads were common until the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibited their production in the U.S. However, most microplastics result from the gradual breakdown of larger plastics, and these particles may never fully decompose. Major sources include vehicle tires, synthetic fabrics, plastic bottles, and paint.
What is known? Microplastics are found in air, land, and water, and can carry toxic substances (e.g., phthalates, PFAS, heavy metals). When animals ingest them, it may lead to malnutrition and other cumulative effects higher on the food chain.
Larger microplastics can pass through the human body without interacting with tissues. In contrast, smaller microplastics-including nanoplastics-can cross the body's natural barriers. Once inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin, they can enter organs, blood, and cells (see fig. 2).
Figure 2. Microplastics in the Human Body
Some estimates place humans' weekly microplastics intake in the microgram range. However, intake varies based on lifestyle. For example, some studies suggest reliance on bottled water may result in a higher intake.
Some studies have associated microplastics with a greater risk of certain health problems. For example, in a study of patients with plaque buildup in their arteries, patients whose plaques contained microplastics had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. However, the extent and level at which microplastics cause health problems are unclear. Through laboratory studies in mice, scientists have found that unusually high levels of exposure to microplastics can cause cognitive impairment, decreased testosterone levels, and other health problems.
What are the knowledge gaps? Most technologies to measure microplastics in the environment rely on significant sample preparation, preventing on-site testing. Also, highly effective removal technologies, like reverse osmosis, may be difficult to scale for use in public water supplies.
To help address knowledge gaps, in 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added microplastics to the Contaminant Candidate List-a list of contaminants that may require future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Also, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced STOMP: Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics-a program to measure and remove microplastics in the human body. Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an initiative to strengthen domestic cotton production to reduce microplastic exposure from synthetic fabrics.
Opportunities
The following scientific advances and lifestyle changes could present opportunities to reduce exposure to microplastics:
* Measurement technologies. Development of portable technologies could help scientists take real-time measurements of microplastics in the environment.
* Removal technologies. Development of scalable technologies to remove the smallest microplastics from drinking water could help reduce community exposure.
* Exposure reduction. Reducing use of plastic products, such as disposable water bottles, or substituting alternatives can reduce exposure, as can frequent indoor cleaning to remove plastic dust.
Challenges
* Cost and convenience. Plastic products are often inexpensive and convenient. Some major sources of microplastics, such as vehicle tires, are essential.
* Geographic spread. Since winds and ocean currents have spread microplastics to remote places, including Antarctica, it may be impossible to stop further spread.
* Data interpretation. Certain findings have caused public concern, but, without standardized methodologies, it can be difficult to interpret study data on potential health effects.
Selected GAO Work
Textile Waste: Federal Entities Should Collaborate on Reduction and Recycling Efforts, GAO-25-107165.
Selected References
Marfella, Raffaele, Francesco Prattichizzo, Celestino Sardu, Gianluca Fulgenzi, Laura Graciotti, Tatiana Spadoni, Nunzia D'Onofrio, et al. "Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events." New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 390, no. 10 (2024): 900-910.
Zolotova, Natalia, Anna Kosyreva, Dzhuliia Dzhalilova, Nikolai Fokichev, and Olga Makarova. "Harmful Effects of the Microplastic Pollution on Animal Health: A Literature Review." PeerJ, vol. 10 (2022): e13503.
For more information, contact Karen L. Howard, PhD at HowardK@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-109098
National Nuclear Security Administration: Additional Actions Needed to Plan for Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities and Workforce Investments
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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National Nuclear Security Administration: Additional Actions Needed to Plan for Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities and Workforce Investments
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Fast Facts
The National Nuclear Security Administration relies on unique science, technology, and engineering facilities and a highly skilled workforce to maintain and advance the nation's nuclear stockpile. In 2024, it prioritized investments to modernize its facilities over the next 2 decades.
While priorities have changed, NNSA
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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National Nuclear Security Administration: Additional Actions Needed to Plan for Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities and Workforce Investments
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Fast Facts
The National Nuclear Security Administration relies on unique science, technology, and engineering facilities and a highly skilled workforce to maintain and advance the nation's nuclear stockpile. In 2024, it prioritized investments to modernize its facilities over the next 2 decades.
While priorities have changed, NNSAhad no plans to update its facility assessments to reflect them. NNSA also began to look at its science and technology workforce needs, but didn't complete its analysis.
Our recommendations address these issues to ensure a safe and effective nuclear stockpile in a rapidly changing technology and security landscape.
Contractors working at the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, California
People dressed in hazmat suits work on a large piece of laboratory equipment.
Highlights
What GAO Found
In July 2024, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) released an internal Integrated Science, Technology, and Engineering (ST&E) Plan documenting investments needed for ST&E capabilities over the next 20 years. NNSA's plan identified and prioritized 46 ST&E facility investments across the nuclear security enterprise that support stewardship of the nuclear weapons stockpile and other NNSA missions. The investments were prioritized by mission importance and mission need time frame. They included sustainment and enhancement of existing facilities and construction of new facilities.
NNSA also collected initial estimates of related ST&E workforce and programmatic investment needs-such as needed equipment and materials-from the nuclear security enterprise sites for the 20-year period. However, NNSA did not fully assess these funding needs and has no plans to do so. NNSA officials said that the plan focused on facility investments due to a deadline to provide that information for the agency's Enterprise Blueprint, which was publicly released. Completing a comprehensive analysis of the ST&E workforce and programmatic investment needs would allow NNSA to better understand the total funding needs for stockpile stewardship and proactively plan for those needs.
Annular Core Research Reactor, a National Nuclear Security Administration Facility Requiring Sustainment Investment
NNSA provided the most detailed cost information on seven high mission importance, near-term ST&E facility investment projects in the Department of Energy's fiscal year 2026 budget justification. Cost information on other proposed facility investments was limited because the projects are in early planning phases or are sustainment investments.
NNSA officials said they have not updated their integrated assessment of future ST&E facility investment needs. NNSA's ST&E facility priorities have already evolved and may further change over time to reflect changes in congressional priorities or new technologies in areas such as high energy density physics, artificial intelligence, or production. Regularly updating the agency's integrated assessment of its ST&E facility needs would help guide future investment decisions to support stockpile stewardship and modernization.
Why GAO Did This Study
NNSA relies on unique science, technology, and engineering facilities and a skilled contractor workforce across the nuclear security enterprise to maintain and modernize the nuclear weapons stockpile without relying on nuclear explosive testing. According to NNSA, many ST&E facilities are decades old. A 2022 major review recommended that NNSA develop an enterprise-wide plan to revitalize its ST&E facilities and workforce.
Senate Report 118-58 accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024 includes a provision for GAO to review NNSA's plans for ST&E capabilities. This report examines (1) the extent to which NNSA's Integrated ST&E Plan identified and prioritized the ST&E facilities, workforce, and programmatic investments needed to support stockpile stewardship; (2) the information available about estimated costs of these investments; and (3) the extent to which NNSA is regularly updating its integrated assessment of ST&E facility investment needs.
GAO reviewed agency and national security laboratory contractors' documents related to the Integrated ST&E Plan and budget documents; made site visits to facilities at NNSA's Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico; and interviewed NNSA officials and laboratory contractors.
Recommendations
GAO is making two recommendations to NNSA to analyze ST&E workforce and programmatic investment needs and to regularly update its integrated assessment of ST&E facility investment needs. NNSA's comments outline actions it plans to take to address both recommendations.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Nuclear Security Administration The NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs should ensure completion of a comprehensive analysis of the workforce and programmatic investments needed to implement the ST&E facilities and capabilities described in the Integrated ST&E Plan. (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.
National Nuclear Security Administration The NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs should regularly update the integrated assessment of ST&E facility investment needs to reflect changing priorities. (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.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107904
Immigration Courts: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Use of Remote Hearings
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Immigration Courts: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Use of Remote Hearings
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Fast Facts
The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review holds immigration hearings to determine whether noncitizens will be removed from the country. About 2 million immigration hearings occurred in FY 2025. Almost a third of these hearings took place remotely, through video teleconferencing or by telephone.
We spoke with immigration judges, attorneys for the government, and attorneys
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Immigration Courts: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Use of Remote Hearings
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Fast Facts
The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review holds immigration hearings to determine whether noncitizens will be removed from the country. About 2 million immigration hearings occurred in FY 2025. Almost a third of these hearings took place remotely, through video teleconferencing or by telephone.
We spoke with immigration judges, attorneys for the government, and attorneysfor noncitizens who described mostly positive experiences with remote hearings. For example, they said that remote hearings gave them greater flexibility and reduced the time and costs associated with appearing in person.
Judge wearing a robe sitting at a computer raising hand during remote court hearing
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) conducts immigration court proceedings both in-person and using remote technology, such as WebEx-an internet-based video teleconferencing platform, or telephone. Per EOIR policy, immigration judges may use discretion to decide which, if any, remote medium is used by participants in a hearing. EOIR collects data on the medium used for each hearing, which reflects the location of only the judge and respondent. According to GAO's analysis of this data, of the nearly 6 million hearings held from fiscal year 2022 through 2025, about 63 percent or 3.8 million hearings were in-person. Of the approximately 2.2 million remote hearings, most used WebEx (about 78 percent or 1.7 million). During this time, the number of remote hearings increased almost 50 percent, while the number of in-person hearings increased more dramatically. EOIR officials stated that as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, immigration courts began scheduling more hearings overall, with more hearings taking place in-person.
Number and Percentage of Immigration Court Hearings Held Remotely and In-person, Fiscal Years 2022-2025
EOIR officials and selected immigration judges and attorneys described generally favorable experiences with remote immigration hearings. They identified benefits of using remote technology, such as reducing the time and cost associated with in-person hearings, increasing the efficiency of hearings, and allowing respondents increased access to private bar attorneys.
Some court stakeholders also provided perspectives on challenging aspects of remote hearings, such as variation in judge preferences for remote hearings, and technology limitations for language interpretation options. However, they told GAO these challenges did not outweigh the benefits of holding remote immigration hearings.
Why GAO Did This Study
Each year, EOIR immigration judges preside over immigration court proceedings for hundreds of thousands of respondents-foreign nationals charged on statutory grounds of removability. In 2017, GAO reported that EOIR would benefit from collecting more reliable data on the use of remote technology in immigration hearings, among other actions.
The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, includes a provision for GAO to update the portion of its 2017 report that addressed the use of remote technology in immigration courts. This report examines (1) what EOIR data show about remote and in-person immigration hearings from fiscal year 2022 through 2025 and (2) the benefits and challenges of using remote technology for immigration court hearings and any actions EOIR has taken to address challenges.
GAO reviewed EOIR policies and procedures regarding the use of remote technology in immigration hearings and analyzed EOIR data on immigration hearings from fiscal year 2022 through 2025. In addition, GAO interviewed officials from EOIR and the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) within the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
GAO also interviewed immigration judges and OPLA attorneys from four immigration court locations selected to represent courts with variation in the size of geographic area of responsibility and hearing volume, and members of two nongovernmental organizations for immigration judges and attorneys who represent respondents. Further, GAO conducted in-person and remote observations of 22 immigration hearings from 11 immigration courts across the U.S.
For more information, contact Heather MacLeod at MacleodH@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108110
Federal Real Property: Further Consolidating DOT Office Space Could Save Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Federal Real Property: Further Consolidating DOT Office Space Could Save Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
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Fast Facts
The Department of Transportation has almost 200 office buildings. Most don't meet the 60% occupancy requirement established by a recent law. These underutilized office spaces cost hundreds of millions of dollars annually to lease, operate, and maintain.
Thus far, DOT's efforts to address this issue consist of plans to consolidate Washington, D.C. offices and reconfigure
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Federal Real Property: Further Consolidating DOT Office Space Could Save Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
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Fast Facts
The Department of Transportation has almost 200 office buildings. Most don't meet the 60% occupancy requirement established by a recent law. These underutilized office spaces cost hundreds of millions of dollars annually to lease, operate, and maintain.
Thus far, DOT's efforts to address this issue consist of plans to consolidate Washington, D.C. offices and reconfigureits headquarters to accommodate Federal Aviation Administration staff.
We recommended DOT make plans to consolidate space department-wide and use strategies like desk sharing to save space and money.
U.S. Department of Transportation building
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and its component agencies are underutilizing their office space department-wide based on the Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies (USE IT) Act benchmark of 60 percent utilization. Specifically, GAO found that 89 percent of DOT's 189 office buildings, including the DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) headquarters complexes, were underutilized in August and September 2025 based on the USE IT benchmark. This was largely consistent with DOT's USE IT Act reporting in March 2026. DOT's underutilized office space costs hundreds of millions of dollars annually to lease, operate, and maintain.
In August 2025, DOT announced its intention to consolidate Washington, D.C.-area FAA office space, including fully vacating the FAA headquarters complex by summer 2027. As of June 2026, DOT is reconfiguring its headquarters without a definitive housing plan for 950 of the FAA headquarters personnel or detailed savings estimates. Due to these uncertainties, the agency may complete the consolidation without fully vacating the FAA headquarters complex, potentially offsetting any savings from the consolidation.
Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation Headquarters
DOT has not pursued department wide-consolidation to increase space utilization or implemented space-maximizing strategies to address underutilized office space. Specifically, as of March 2026, DOT did not have plans to consolidate other DOT offices beyond FAA headquarters despite widespread underutilization. There are department-wide opportunities to consolidate, as 89 percent of DOT office buildings did not meet the USE IT Act utilization threshold for a period in 2025, and its largest office buildings averaged 34 percent utilization. In addition, adopting space-maximizing strategies could help DOT efficiently use its office space and support further consolidations and savings. For example, implementing a desk reservation system could help DOT use space more efficiently and increase utilization because DOT officials said that many employees spend roughly half their time offsite conducting investigations or inspections. By developing and implementing a department-wide consolidation plan that includes space-maximizing strategies, DOT may be better able to meet the 60 percent utilization threshold throughout its portfolio of office space and reduce facility costs by hundreds of millions of dollars.
Why GAO Did This Study
Managing federal real property has been on GAO's High Risk List since 2003. In 2023, GAO reported that the COVID-19 pandemic and increased telework had contributed to low utilization of agency headquarters buildings, including DOT's. Since then, DOT has reinstated its in-office requirements and reduced its staff size.
GAO was asked to review DOT's office space use across the United States. This report examines 1) DOT's office space utilization department-wide and the costs of underutilized space, 2) DOT's consolidation plans for the FAA headquarters complex, and 3) the extent to which DOT's efforts address underutilized office space department-wide.
GAO collected office space size and attendance data from 189 DOT office locations for a selected period in August and September 2025. GAO then calculated the utilization of each building by dividing its in-office attendance for the sample period by the building's capacity. GAO calculated capacity by dividing a location's total usable square feet by the 150 square feet per-person benchmark established by the USE IT Act. GAO interviewed officials from DOT and the General Services Administration, visited DOT offices in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and California, and discussed space-maximizing strategies with four architecture and engineering firms selected based on their experiences with government and private sector clients.
Recommendations
GAO is recommending that DOT (1) complete its consolidation plans for the FAA headquarters complex, and (2) develop department-wide consolidation plans. DOT concurred with our recommendations.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should continue to develop and implement a plan for consolidating FAA headquarters and other Washington, D.C. area FAA personnel into the DOT headquarters complex that includes a plan for relocating all FAA staff and the estimated savings from the consolidation. (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 Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should develop a department-wide office space consolidation plan that incorporates space-maximizing strategies to meet utilization requirements. (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.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108089
Science & Tech Spotlight: Geographic Origin of Food and Other Imports
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Geographic Origin of Food and Other Imports
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Highlights
Why This Matters
Bad actors may falsify the geographic origin of products to illicitly sell goods or substitute premium products with cheaper products, which can threaten our economy and consumer safety. In 2021, the U.S. International Trade Commission estimated that U.S. commercial fishing may have lost nearly $61 million in operating income due to illegal, unreported, and unregulated seafood imports.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Geographic Origin of Food and Other Imports
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Highlights
Why This Matters
Bad actors may falsify the geographic origin of products to illicitly sell goods or substitute premium products with cheaper products, which can threaten our economy and consumer safety. In 2021, the U.S. International Trade Commission estimated that U.S. commercial fishing may have lost nearly $61 million in operating income due to illegal, unreported, and unregulated seafood imports.Technologies that verify the origin of imported food and agricultural products, like seafood or wood, may help prevent fraud.
Key Takeaways
* Maturity and adoption of origin verification technologies vary by type of technology and the product they verify.
* Verifying geographic origin typically requires building a reference library of product samples, which can be challenging to develop and update.
* Improved verification could deter fraud, but the technologies can be expensive and complex.
The Science
What is it? Digital and analytical technologies can be used to track and verify the origin of food and agricultural products. For example, shrimp can be tracked by digitally documenting the path from initial harvest to final sale and verified by testing that the DNA matches the species from a certain source. Verifying where products come from can help ensure regulatory compliance, assess tariffs, and improve consumer safety.
How does it work? Digital tracking technologies log product data, including geographic origin, throughout the supply chain. Blockchain, for example, could improve the reliability of these data by creating a tamper-resistant record. The blockchain data are distributed across multiple parties and changes must follow digital protocols, helping to deter fraud.
Analytical testing with laboratory or field-deployable technologies detects a product's chemical or biological properties, which are compared to reference libraries containing sample properties from known locations (see figure). For example, trees take up elements from the environment where they grow, so different elements in a wood product can indicate where the tree was sourced. In addition, machine learning could improve accuracy by recognizing patterns in analytical testing.
Figure 1. Example of Origin Verification for a Wood Product
Analysis of biological properties can verify the species of a product, which is compared to reference libraries of samples from where that species lives. For example, DNA analysis could indicate if a shrimp species is consistent with a claimed source. The effectiveness of chemical or biological analyses can vary depending on the product, and in some cases combining multiple analyses can improve geographic origin accuracy.
How mature is it? Maturity and adoption of origin verification technologies vary by type of technology and the product they verify. Where fraudulent or illegal activities are common, like the seafood industry, companies offer digital supply chain records to help importers and retailers track where seafood was caught or testing services to verify whether the species matches the label. In other cases, such as for processed products like canned seafood, testing is more challenging because processing can alter chemical and biological properties.
Development of more portable and more accurate analytical testing methods is ongoing, as are globally coordinated efforts to improve reference libraries for enforcement and fraud detection. For example, to help counter illegal wood harvests, various organizations are working to gather and test wood samples from forests worldwide. To improve detection of import fraud, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is enhancing its laboratories and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is piloting a new field-based testing technology.
Opportunities
* Deter fraudulent activities. Technologies could improve the detection of fraudulent activities, making such actions riskier and less lucrative. For example, in 2020, CBP reported it was developing new testing technologies to identify Chinese honey imports, which could pose a threat to consumers due to the presence of unapproved antibiotics.
* Improve compliance. Technologies that are cheaper or easier to use could help companies ensure their products meet applicable legal requirements. For example, in the U.S., importers are required to report specified data on certain seafoods from catch to U.S. entry and may not import certain goods from specified countries. Verifying origin can help ensure that companies are compliant.
Challenges
* Lack of reference libraries. Efforts are underway to develop reference libraries in certain industries, but they require significant resources to build and maintain. Some libraries may be proprietary, limiting their widespread use.
* Complex implementation. Digital tracking relies on accurate information at each step in the supply chain, which can be falsified. Automated data collection, such as by sensors, could reduce errors and location falsification. These technologies may be difficult for smaller companies to implement or in regions with less digital infrastructure.
* Costly analysis. Laboratory-based technologies can require expensive equipment and complex analyses by skilled staff. Testing may require multiple samples to accurately assess origin. Cost can restrict how often companies or agencies test products, limiting testing to only certain high-risk products.
Policy Context and Questions
* Should the federal government support coordination throughout the supply chain to help industry more readily track and verify product origin?
* How might policymakers determine whether to support the development, maintenance, and sharing of reference libraries to more accurately verify product origin?
Selected GAO Work
Blockchain: Emerging Technology Offers Benefits for Some Applications but Faces Challenges, GAO-22-104625.
Selected Reference
Rossi, S., Gemma, S., Borghini, F. et al. "Agri-food traceability today: Advancing innovation towards efficiency, sustainability, ethical sourcing, and safety in food supply chains." Trends in Food Science and Technology. vol. 163(2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2025.105154.
For more information, contact Karen L. Howard, PhD at HowardK@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-109131
Southern Border Security: DOD Used Multiple Strategies to Fund Operations
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Southern Border Security: DOD Used Multiple Strategies to Fund Operations
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Fast Facts
Each year, millions of people enter the U.S. along its nearly 2,000-mile-long border with Mexico. But the border is also vulnerable to illegal activities, such as drug smuggling and organized crime.
In January 2025, the president directed the Department of Defense to help the Department of Homeland Security gain complete operational control of the border.
We reviewed DOD's costs to support these
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Southern Border Security: DOD Used Multiple Strategies to Fund Operations
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Fast Facts
Each year, millions of people enter the U.S. along its nearly 2,000-mile-long border with Mexico. But the border is also vulnerable to illegal activities, such as drug smuggling and organized crime.
In January 2025, the president directed the Department of Defense to help the Department of Homeland Security gain complete operational control of the border.
We reviewed DOD's costs to support theseoperations. As of March 2026, DOD reported $2.64 billion in costs and used a combination of funding strategies to support these operations. The department also set up a process to track costs.
U.S. Army solider and Border Patrol agent stand at border wall
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Defense (DOD) used multiple strategies to fund support for southern border operations since the start of fiscal year 2025 and into fiscal year 2026. Specifically, DOD
* realigned $1.74 billion in funding from amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2025 from various funding categories;
* transferred $608 million from or through DOD's Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense account;
* relied on military construction authorities to fund border barrier projects using $300 million from within existing military construction appropriation accounts;
* began obligating amounts from $1 billion appropriated in Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; and
* began providing some support to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in fiscal year 2026 that is eligible for reimbursement.
As of March 31, 2026, DOD has reported obligating $2.64 billion for southern border operations since the start of fiscal year 2025. These costs include DOD-directed activities, such as securing DOD-administered lands along the border, known as National Defense Areas, and constructing permanent border barriers. These costs also include DOD support to DHS in response to requests for assistance. Of the $2.64 billion DOD obligated, DOD reported $305 million is eligible for reimbursement by DHS.
DOD Southern Border Operations and Costs
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) (Comptroller) and the military services established a process for tracking southern border costs that included issuing guidance and business rules for pulling data from the military services' financial ledgers into Advancing Analytics-known as Advana-DOD's enterprise-level management system used for reporting. In addition, OUSD (Comptroller) officials stated they are working to finalize standard operating procedures that would codify DOD's process to manage and execute costs of southern border operations and provide continuity in the event of personnel turnover.
Why GAO Did This Study
The nearly 2,000-mile-long U.S. border with Mexico is a critical point of entry for millions of people annually. However, it is also vulnerable to illegal border crossings, smuggling of drugs and contraband, and organized crime. In January 2025, the President declared a national emergency at the southern border and directed DOD to assist DHS in obtaining complete operational control of the border.
GAO was asked to review DOD's costs to support operations at the southern border. Senate Report 119-39 accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 also includes a provision for GAO to examine similar issues. This report examines (1) how DOD has funded support for operations, (2) how much DOD has reported in costs, and (3) how DOD has tracked costs for its southern border operations since the start of fiscal year 2025.
GAO analyzed DOD documentation and guidance regarding funding sources and cost tracking processes. GAO analyzed cost summary reports for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. GAO also met with DOD officials and commands obligating the most funding for southern border operations.
GAO provided a draft of this report to DOD for review and comment. DOD did not provide official comments. DOD provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate.
For more information, contact Rashmi Agarwal at agarwalr@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108437
Health Insurance Marketplaces: CMS Needs Stronger Controls to Prevent Unauthorized Actions by Agents and Brokers
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Health Insurance Marketplaces: CMS Needs Stronger Controls to Prevent Unauthorized Actions by Agents and Brokers
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Fast Facts
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require agents and brokers to be licensed, registered, and obtain consumer consent before helping consumers buy or change their health insurance plans on the federal insurance marketplace.
However, we found that the agency's safeguards don't always protect consumers from unauthorized activity by unscrupulous agents
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Health Insurance Marketplaces: CMS Needs Stronger Controls to Prevent Unauthorized Actions by Agents and Brokers
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Fast Facts
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require agents and brokers to be licensed, registered, and obtain consumer consent before helping consumers buy or change their health insurance plans on the federal insurance marketplace.
However, we found that the agency's safeguards don't always protect consumers from unauthorized activity by unscrupulous agentsand brokers. This could result in consumers not being aware of changes to their health plans or even losing coverage altogether.
We made 2 recommendations, including implementing stronger safeguards-such as a one-time passcode-to ensure consumers consent to changes in their health plans.showing the HealthCare.gov website with a spyglass enlarging the words "HealthCare.gov" and "Get Coverage."
Highlights
What GAO Found
Millions of consumers rely on the assistance of health insurance agents and brokers to purchase health insurance plans through federal and state Marketplaces established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The federal Marketplace is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). To assist consumers in the federal Marketplace, agents and brokers must be licensed to sell health plans and be registered with the Marketplace, among other things. CMS conducts routine validation checks to help ensure that federal Marketplace agents and brokers are licensed. The agency also restricts access to its systems to only registered agents and brokers.
However, those CMS controls do not protect consumers from unauthorized activity by unscrupulous agents and brokers. Specifically, CMS
1. processes to ensure consumer consent for agent or broker actions are weak,
2. does not restrict access to consumer Marketplace records to the agent or broker already associated with a consumer's enrollment, and
3. does not inform consumers of all agent or broker actions.
In 2024, CMS implemented new procedures to better ensure agents and brokers obtain consumers' consent prior to certain actions. However, GAO found that the procedures do not prevent all unauthorized actions because they are not always used, and CMS takes limited steps to confirm the identity of the consumer.
Together these weaknesses leave consumers vulnerable to unauthorized agent or broker activity. The number of consumer complaints of unauthorized enrollments and plan switches grew more than fourfold from 2023 through 2025.
Number of Consumer Complaints Tied to Confirmed Unauthorized Enrollments and Plan Switches in the Federal Marketplace, Calendar Years 2023 Through 2025
GAO examined three selected state-based Marketplaces and found they have controls that go beyond those used by CMS, such as requiring one-time passcodes to verify consumer consent to agent or broker actions. CMS told GAO that the agency is exploring options to potentially implement new controls for the open enrollment period for plan year 2027 but had not yet made decisions regarding any new controls. Without effective controls, consumers remain at risk.
Why GAO Did This Study
Recent federal fraud cases highlight concerns about certain agents and brokers in the federal Marketplace making unauthorized enrollments and plan changes to receive compensation from health plan issuers. As previously reported based on ongoing investigative work, GAO found at least 160,000 federal Marketplace applications in plan year 2024 had likely unauthorized changes.
GAO was asked to review program integrity practices in health insurance Marketplaces. This report examines the extent to which CMS has controls to ensure (1) agents and brokers in the federal Marketplace are licensed and registered, and (2) consumers authorize, and are informed of, agent and broker activity.
To perform this evaluation, GAO compared CMS controls to federal regulations and CMS policies and procedures by reviewing CMS documentation and interviewing CMS officials. GAO also interviewed organizations representing stakeholders-including agents and brokers, state insurance regulators, and consumers-and reviewed documentation and interviewed officials from three selected state-based Marketplaces-California, Georgia, and New Mexico-about their controls.
Recommendations
GAO is making two recommendations, including that CMS design and implement stronger controls to ensure consumers consent to, and are informed of, agent and broker actions, such as with a one-time passcode and other controls. HHS concurred with GAO's two recommendations and identified steps it is considering to address the recommendation.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The Administrator of CMS should design and implement stronger controls to verify consumer consent to agent and broker actions on consumer enrollments, restrict access to consumer information to the agent of record, and notify consumers of agent and broker activity on their federal Marketplace enrollments. Such controls could include use of a one-time passcode and limits to the amount of consumer details agents and brokers who are not the agent of record can see when conducting a person search. (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.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The Administrator of CMS should periodically review the relevance and effectiveness of the controls it implements to ensure consumers authorize, and are informed of, agent and broker activity on their federal Marketplace enrollments and make changes as appropriate based on those reviews. (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.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108297
Human Capital: A Guide for Developing and Assessing Strategic Training and Development Efforts in the Federal Government
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Human Capital: A Guide for Developing and Assessing Strategic Training and Development Efforts in the Federal Government
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Fast Facts
Federal agencies train employees to carry out their missions in a rapidly changing world. But how do agencies know if their training programs are effective?
Our updated human capital guide can help agencies and oversight bodies assess whether training programs are aligned with priorities, efficiently implemented, and improving staff performance.
To develop
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Human Capital: A Guide for Developing and Assessing Strategic Training and Development Efforts in the Federal Government
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Fast Facts
Federal agencies train employees to carry out their missions in a rapidly changing world. But how do agencies know if their training programs are effective?
Our updated human capital guide can help agencies and oversight bodies assess whether training programs are aligned with priorities, efficiently implemented, and improving staff performance.
To developthe guide, we consulted with government officials, the private sector, academia, and nonprofit organizations. This guide updates our earlier work and covers new topics-including online learning and advancements in technology.
A woman sitting at a desk with a laptop in front of her while another woman stands next to her also looking at the laptop.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Training and development programs help federal agencies achieve their mission and goals by improving individual and, ultimately, organizational performance. This report is a guide that federal agencies can use to ensure their training and development investments are targeted strategically. In recent years, training and development have shifted from primarily classroom-based instruction to more integrated, blended learning approaches that reflect changes in the workplace and advances in technology. In addition, there is a greater focus on aligning learning to agency mission needs and outcomes, with coaching and mentoring playing an important support role in development.
The training and development process can loosely be segmented into four broad, interrelated components: (1) planning, (2) design and development, (3) implementation, and (4) evaluation. As shown in the figure, these components form an integrated cycle. Decisions made in early stages influence later outcomes, while evaluation results should feed continuously into future planning and design. Effective agencies treat evaluation as an ongoing activity rather than a discrete, end-of-process step.
Four Components of the Training and Development Process
GAO also identified nine core characteristics that make a training and development process effective and strategically focused on achieving results, such as improved customer service or public safety. These characteristics include ensuring stakeholder involvement throughout the process and effectively allocating resources to maximize training investments. Additionally, new technology advancements, including digital learning and artificial intelligence, are further shaping how training is designed, delivered, and evaluated.
Why GAO Did This Study
Federal agencies operate in an increasingly complex environment characterized by evolving missions, fiscal constraints, technological change, and shifting workforce demographics. In this context, the ability of agencies to achieve results depends significantly on the skills, competencies, and adaptability of their employees.
In March 2004, GAO issued a guide for assessing strategic training and development efforts across the federal government. GAO has updated this guide to provide a current framework to help agencies, among other things, evaluate their training and development programs-specifically, to assess whether these programs are aligned with mission priorities, efficiently implemented, and demonstrably contributing to improved performance. This guide also provides a common structure for oversight bodies to assess agency practices consistently and systematically.
GAO consulted with 24 knowledgeable government officials and subject matter specialists in the private sector, academia, and nonprofit organizations. To validate and update the key practices in our 2004 report, GAO reviewed relevant literature on strategic training and development. GAO used this literature to help identify practices that have emerged over the past 20 years and to help identify the subject matter specialists. These specialists validated the practices described in the 2004 report and identified new or modified practices.
For more information, contact Dawn Locke at locked@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108218
VA Disability Benefits: Opportunities and Challenges to Modernizing Technology and Adopting AI
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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VA Disability Benefits: Opportunities and Challenges to Modernizing Technology and Adopting AI
*
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working to modernize its IT systems to increase efficiency and accuracy of claims processing for disability compensation. However, past GAO reports have found that VA faces long-standing challenges in managing its disability compensation program and implementing innovative technologies. For example, GAO found gaps in VA's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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VA Disability Benefits: Opportunities and Challenges to Modernizing Technology and Adopting AI
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Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working to modernize its IT systems to increase efficiency and accuracy of claims processing for disability compensation. However, past GAO reports have found that VA faces long-standing challenges in managing its disability compensation program and implementing innovative technologies. For example, GAO found gaps in VA'soversight of the quality of exams provided by contracted medical providers and in the management of training for claims processors. Moreover, in 2009, VA began developing an electronic, paperless system called the Veterans Benefits Management System. GAO found that this effort was not driven by robust planning and did not include goals for system response times and user satisfaction, making it difficult to measure progress on efforts to improve user satisfaction with the system.
AI holds substantial promise for improving government operations, and VA is exploring multiple uses of AI for disability benefits, such as claims processing. However, GAO has reported that generative AI can increase risk and hinder accountability, in part because even its designers may not fully understand how it works. It can also require significant computational and technical resources. VA is exploring using AI to further automate the processing of disability claims, a use case that could benefit veterans. But this use could present a challenge in detecting errors or misuse, owing to AI's lack of transparency. GAO has a framework to help ensure accountability and responsible use of AI. VA and other agencies could use this framework as they consider, select, and implement AI systems (see figure).
Figure: GAO's AI Accountability Framework
Why GAO Did This Study
VA administers one of the largest federal disability benefit programs, providing over $195 billion to over 6.9 million veterans and their families in fiscal year 2025. Veterans with injuries or illnesses incurred or aggravated during military service may receive monthly compensation payments.
The Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 required VA to develop a plan to increase the speed and accuracy of claims processing decisions.
This statement summarizes (1) VA's long-standing challenges with managing its disability compensation program and implementing innovative technologies and (2) opportunities and challenges for using AI for VA's disability compensation program. This statement is based on GAO's body of work from September 2015 to June 2026 on VA disability compensation claims processing, IT modernization, and AI.
Recommendations
Since 2021, GAO has made 43 recommendations to improve VA's disability compensation program. VA has implemented 28 of them. It has taken some steps to adress the remaining 15, but has not fully implemented them. Doing so would help VA better ensure veterans receive timely and appropriate benefits.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-109137
Military Health Care: Clinical Quality Management in Operational Settings Like Field Hospitals
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Military Health Care: Clinical Quality Management in Operational Settings Like Field Hospitals
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Fast Facts
DOD health care providers deliver care where military operations and humanitarian missions take place. Such "operational settings" include hospital ships, field hospitals, and aircraft carriers.
DOD directed the Army, Navy, and Air Force to update their policies for managing health care quality in these settings. The policies are supposed to help ensure that safety incidents are
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Military Health Care: Clinical Quality Management in Operational Settings Like Field Hospitals
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Fast Facts
DOD health care providers deliver care where military operations and humanitarian missions take place. Such "operational settings" include hospital ships, field hospitals, and aircraft carriers.
DOD directed the Army, Navy, and Air Force to update their policies for managing health care quality in these settings. The policies are supposed to help ensure that safety incidents arereviewed, potential provider misconduct is investigated, and more.
As of March 2026, the Army and Air Force had not issued updated policies. The Navy has issued several policies on aspects of health care quality management.
Exterior of a field hospital
An exterior view of the entrance to a U.S. Army field hospital.
Highlights
What GAO Found
In 2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) directed the military departments-Army, Navy, and Air Force-to update their policies on clinical quality management to align with Defense Health Agency (DHA) procedures to ensure high-quality care in operational settings. In December 2024, GAO reported that the military departments had not yet issued policies, specifically on provider credentialing and privileging, and recommended that they do so. As of March 2026, GAO found that Army and Air Force had not issued updated policies, while Navy issued several policies on aspects of clinical quality management.
GAO maintains that the military departments' updates to these policies will facilitate a more consistent approach to clinical quality in operational settings. These updates may require more time, as the military departments incorporate additional changes resulting from DOD's October 2025 implementation of a universal provider privileging program (i.e., the process of reviewing a provider's qualifications and granting permission to deliver specific services).
Examples of Operational Settings Include Navy Hospital Ships and Army Field Hospitals
For patient safety events and health care risk management investigations, Army and Air Force officials stated that their departments generally follow the processes outlined in DHA's procedures manual as their policies are being updated. GAO also found that Navy's policies-which have been updated-align with DHA's procedures.
* Patient safety events are incidents or conditions that could have resulted, or did result, in harm to a patient, such as a medication error or a wrong-site surgery. Events are entered into a patient safety reporting system and investigated accordingly.
* Health care risk management activities primarily involve provider quality assurance investigations, which could originate from suspected provider misconduct, among other reasons. Army and Air Force leverage DHA for assistance for investigations; Navy relies on its medical staff for support.
Why GAO Did This Study
DOD health care providers deliver critical health care services in settings where military operations take place. These operational settings include hospital ships, field hospitals, and aircraft carriers. To guide efforts to promote health, prevent harm, and provide high-quality care in the military health system, DHA issued a clinical quality management framework in 2019. This framework consists of programs such as provider credentialing and privileging, patient safety, and risk management. Military departments are responsible for updating their policies to align with DHA's framework and implementing these programs in operational settings.
A House Report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 includes a provision for GAO to review how the military departments ensure clinical quality in operational settings. GAO reported in GAO-25-106445 on provider credentialing and privileging and recommended that the military departments issue updated policies, which they indicated would be included in overall clinical quality management policies for operational settings. In this report, GAO describes (1) the status of these military department policies on clinical quality management, (2) how the military departments report and manage patient safety events, and (3) how the military departments conduct health care risk management investigations.
GAO interviewed DHA and military department officials and reviewed relevant program documentation. GAO also reviewed available operational patient safety event data reported for fiscal years 2022 through 2024, the most recent available data at the time of this review. These data were not included due to DOD's concerns about the sensitivity of these data.
For more information, contact Sharon M. Silas at silass@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107979
Inflation Reduction Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Should Develop Performance Goals for Its Wildlife Refuge Projects
WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Inflation Reduction Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Should Develop Performance Goals for Its Wildlife Refuge Projects
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Fast Facts
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages a network of 856 million acres of land and water used for recreation and wildlife protection. FWS awarded funds it received from the Inflation Reduction Act to states, nonprofits and local agencies for projects that restore habitats and infrastructure and make them more resilient against future weather events.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Inflation Reduction Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Should Develop Performance Goals for Its Wildlife Refuge Projects
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Fast Facts
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages a network of 856 million acres of land and water used for recreation and wildlife protection. FWS awarded funds it received from the Inflation Reduction Act to states, nonprofits and local agencies for projects that restore habitats and infrastructure and make them more resilient against future weather events.
FWS developed an implementation plan with objectives for each project. But FWS didn't set performance goals to measure progress. This means that FWS doesn't know the extent to which the projects are meeting those objectives.
Our recommendations address this and other issues.
A prairie pond in Minnesota with flat grasslands.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) provided $125 million in supplemental appropriations to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to rebuild and restore units of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and state wildlife management areas. Among other things, the appropriations are intended to increase the resiliency of habitats and infrastructure to withstand weather events. As of April 1, 2026, FWS had obligated 99.6 percent of the appropriations, primarily for financial awards to state agencies and other partners for the design, implementation, and monitoring of nine projects across 23 states and more than 75 NWRS units. For example, a northern forest project aims to restore forests, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce flood risks in the Northeast and Midwest. FWS has expended about $48.9 million, or 39 percent, of its appropriations. FWS officials told GAO that, so far, the IRA projects have resulted in the restoration of more than 5,000 acres of wetlands and 16,000 acres of other habitats.
Work on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Project in North Carolina
To select projects for IRA funding, FWS officials stated that the agency identified NWRS areas with planned, but unfunded, activities that aligned with the purpose of the IRA appropriations, such as to increase the resiliency of NWRS areas to weather events. FWS also prioritized projects in parts of the country that had not previously received supplemental appropriations, such as for disaster assistance, and where FWS could collaborate with long-standing partners, including state and local agencies, to expand the geographic scope of work. Once projects were selected, FWS's regional offices used existing processes and partnerships to determine activities to undertake, such as building water control structures to reduce flood risks and fences to improve bison management. FWS then used standard agency policies and procedures, such as recipient risk guidance, to issue financial awards and contracts to carry out activities.
To oversee IRA projects, FWS developed an implementation plan with objectives for meeting the purpose of the IRA appropriations. For example, the plan calls for projects to improve the capacity to recover from extreme weather events. FWS tracked data, such as acres restored, but did not establish performance goals for measuring progress toward the objectives. By developing and using performance goals for assessing progress toward the objectives in its IRA implementation plan, FWS can better develop and use evidence to assess the extent to which the IRA projects are achieving intended results, and change course if they are not.
Why GAO Did This Study
FWS, within the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages NWRS, a national network of 856 million acres of land and water dedicated to protecting fish and wildlife habitats and providing outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hunting and fishing. IRA appropriations for NWRS and state wildlife management areas are available to FWS for obligation through September 2026 and amount to over 23 percent of NWRS's typical annual appropriations. FWS uses grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to fund partners, including federal and state agencies and nonprofits.
GAO was asked to review FWS's use of its IRA appropriations. This report (1) describes how FWS has obligated and expended IRA appropriations for NWRS and state wildlife management areas; (2) describes how FWS selected, prioritized, and funded projects for these appropriations; and (3) examines how FWS provided oversight for these projects to ensure they achieve intended results.
GAO reviewed FWS obligations and expenditures data through April 1, 2026; FWS documents about its use and oversight of IRA appropriations; and recipients' single audit reports. GAO interviewed selected financial award and contract recipients based on factors such as geographic variation, as well as FWS and Interior officials. GAO also compared FWS efforts with federal guidance and key practices, such as for performance management.
Recommendations
GAO is making two recommendations, including that FWS develop and use performance goals for each IRA project to determine if FWS is meeting the purpose of the IRA appropriations and achieving the objectives in its IRA implementation plan. FWS concurred.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Fish and Wildlife Service The FWS Director should direct the NWRS Chief to develop and use performance goals for each of its IRA Section 60302 projects to determine if the agency is meeting the purpose of the IRA appropriations and making progress toward achieving the objectives in its IRA implementation plan. (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.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service The FWS Director should ensure that FWS's comprehensive review of the NWRS includes (1) determining the critical skills and staffing levels that are needed to achieve NWRS goals, and (2) developing strategies to address any gaps in those critical skills and overall staffing levels. (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.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108212
K-12 Education: How States and the U.S. Holocaust Museum Support Holocaust Education
WASHINGTON, July 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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K-12 Education: How States and the U.S. Holocaust Museum Support Holocaust Education
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Fast Facts
Holocaust education offers historical understanding and context for examining unchecked antisemitism. In this Q&A, we reviewed how states approach Holocaust education in K-12 public schools and how the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum supports that education.
We found that 42 states and D.C. require Holocaust education through academic standards or state laws. The remaining 8 states don't require
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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K-12 Education: How States and the U.S. Holocaust Museum Support Holocaust Education
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Fast Facts
Holocaust education offers historical understanding and context for examining unchecked antisemitism. In this Q&A, we reviewed how states approach Holocaust education in K-12 public schools and how the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum supports that education.
We found that 42 states and D.C. require Holocaust education through academic standards or state laws. The remaining 8 states don't requireit but may support it in other ways, such as providing guidance to teachers.
The Museum also provides support with professional development for teachers and educational materials, among other efforts.
Exterior of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Highlights
What GAO Found
To support Holocaust education in K-12 public schools, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum-the main federal provider of Holocaust education resources-provides professional development for teachers through its annual conference, fellowships, online videos, and webinars. The Museum offers educational materials, such as lesson plans and online lessons, based on its collection of artifacts. It also partners with state and local organizations and researches effective education strategies.
Most states (43 of 51) have established academic standards that explicitly include Holocaust education or passed laws that explicitly require Holocaust education (see figure). The remaining eight states did not have such academic standards or laws, but they may have supported Holocaust education in other ways. Most state officials (30 of 48) who responded to GAO's survey reported having methods to ensure students receive Holocaust education, such as getting feedback from teachers and schools.
States Identified as Having Academic Standards or Laws Requiring K-12 Holocaust Education
Note: For details regarding GAO's analysis to identify states with academic standards or laws requiring K-12 Holocaust education, see figure 1 in GAO-26-108023.
Why GAO Did This Study
The Never Again Education Act authorized federal support for the U.S. Holocaust Museum to support Holocaust education through educational materials and professional development opportunities for teachers. Senate Report 118-84 includes a provision for GAO to examine Holocaust education in K-12 public schools. This report provides information on federal resources developed by the U.S. Holocaust Museum to support Holocaust education, state K-12 Holocaust education practices, and other topics.
To answer these objectives, GAO conducted a survey of state educational agency officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on providing K-12 Holocaust education. Officials from 48 states responded. GAO also reviewed publicly available state documents as of February 2026, including academic standards and budgets, and conducted an independent legal review of state laws explicitly requiring Holocaust education. Further, GAO sent a structured online questionnaire to a nongeneralizable sample of 2,063 public school teachers of sixth to 12th grade to learn about their experiences providing Holocaust education. GAO received responses from 111 teachers. GAO also interviewed officials from four selected state educational agencies, seven Holocaust organizations, and the U.S. Holocaust Museum.
For more information, contact Jackie Nowicki at NowickiJ@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108023
