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Suicide Prevention: Capacity and Federal Assessment of the 988 Lifeline
WASHINGTON, July 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Suicide Prevention: Capacity and Federal Assessment of the 988 Lifeline
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Fast Facts
A leading cause of death in the U.S., suicide resulted in more than 49,000 deaths in 2023. That's up by 31% from 2003.
To help those at risk, the federal government set up the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It offers support via call, text, and chat.
Since the Lifeline's inception in July 2022 through September 2025, we found:
Call, text, and chat contact volume increased
Call answer rates increased,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Suicide Prevention: Capacity and Federal Assessment of the 988 Lifeline
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Fast Facts
A leading cause of death in the U.S., suicide resulted in more than 49,000 deaths in 2023. That's up by 31% from 2003.
To help those at risk, the federal government set up the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It offers support via call, text, and chat.
Since the Lifeline's inception in July 2022 through September 2025, we found:
Call, text, and chat contact volume increased
Call answer rates increased,while text and chat answer rates varied
Average time to answer calls, texts, and chats varied
We also found that the federal government set goals for the Lifeline. It collected data related to those goals and used it to assess its performance.
A hand holding a cell phone with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number dialed.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) is a network of independent crisis contact centers that answer calls, texts, and chats from people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
The U.S. Health and Human Services' (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) set up the 988 Lifeline to connect individuals with local crisis contact centers in states and minimize the time they wait, according to officials. As of March 2026, calls are generally routed to local crisis contact centers based on callers' approximate location. In contrast, texts and chats are routed based on individuals' area codes or zip codes. SAMHSA plans to begin routing texts based on approximate location by April 2027, in accordance with a Federal Communications Commission rule.
SAMHSA primarily measures the 988 Lifeline's capacity through contact volume, answer rates (i.e., the percentage of contacts that are responded to), and the average time to answer. About 19.1 million calls, texts, and chats were routed to crisis contact centers from July 2022 through September 2025. During that time, call volume increased by about 87 percent, text volume by about 260 percent, and chat volume by about 23 percent (see figure). Call answer rates increased; text and chat answer rates fluctuated over time, as did average time to answer.
988 Lifeline Contact Volume By Method, July 2022 through September 2025
SAMHSA incorporated selected key performance management practices in assessing the 988 Lifeline's routing and capacity. Specifically, SAMHSA set long- and near-term goals for the 988 Lifeline, collected information related to those goals, and used that information to assess progress and communicate information about performance. For example, to promote answer rate improvement, SAMHSA set a goal for local crisis contact centers, by September 2026, to answer more than 90 percent of the texts and chats they receive. SAMHSA also reviewed performance data and published them on its website.
Why GAO Did This Study
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, resulting in over 49,000 deaths in 2023 (the latest data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of June 2026)-or about one death every 11 minutes. Overall, suicide rates increased about 31 percent from 2003 through 2023.
SAMHSA provides federal funding for and oversees the 988 Lifeline. Local crisis contact centers within states may also receive funding through state appropriations, state-enacted 988 telecommunications fees, or other sources. In consultation with SAMHSA, a nonprofit network administrator is responsible for administering the 988 Lifeline.
Congress included a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, for GAO to review the 988 Lifeline. This report, among other things, (1) describes how calls, texts, and chats are routed to the 988 Lifeline; (2) describes how SAMHSA measures capacity of the 988 Lifeline and what those measures showed; and (3) examines how SAMHSA assesses routing and capacity of the 988 Lifeline.
GAO analyzed 988 Lifeline performance data reported by SAMHSA for the period beginning July 2022, the month the 988 Lifeline number went into effect, through September 2025. GAO also reviewed documentation from and interviewed officials from SAMHSA, the Federal Communications Commission, and a nongeneralizable sample of nine states and two territories. States and territories were selected to obtain variation in geographic location, percentage of the total population living in rural areas, and other factors. Additionally, GAO examined SAMHSA's efforts related to assessing routing and capacity of the 988 Lifeline against selected key performance management practices.
For more information, contact Alyssa M. Hundrup at HundrupA@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108114
2025 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Compliance with Requirements
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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2025 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Compliance with Requirements
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Fast Facts
To make lobbying the federal government more transparent, paid lobbyists must, among other requirements:
* File quarterly reports on who lobbied and what they did
* File semiannual political contribution reports
As in past years, most registered lobbyists showed us evidence that they followed the above reporting requirements. But we also found discrepancies. For example, 22% of quarterly reports
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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2025 Lobbying Disclosure: Observations on Compliance with Requirements
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Fast Facts
To make lobbying the federal government more transparent, paid lobbyists must, among other requirements:
* File quarterly reports on who lobbied and what they did
* File semiannual political contribution reports
As in past years, most registered lobbyists showed us evidence that they followed the above reporting requirements. But we also found discrepancies. For example, 22% of quarterly reportslisted lobbyists who didn't fully disclose their relevant prior federal jobs, as required.
From 2016-2025, Congress referred 12,391 cases to the Department of Justice for failure to file reports. About 46% of these cases were resolved as of December 2025.
Lobbyists walking down the steps of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Most lobbyists demonstrated compliance with the requirements of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended (LDA). For example, for the third and fourth quarters of 2024 and the first and second quarters of 2025, GAO estimates that
* 94 percent of lobbyists who filed quarterly lobbying disclosure (LD-2) reports had documentation confirming income and expenses related to lobbying,
* 84 percent of lobbyists who reported lobbying the Senate had documentation confirming related lobbying activities, and
* 93 percent of semiannual contribution (LD-203) reports included all reportable political contributions.
These findings are generally consistent with GAO's findings since 2016.
By law, lobbyists are also required to report certain criminal convictions, such as those involving bribery or fraud, among others. None of the 247 individuals listed as lobbyists on the quarterly disclosure reports GAO reviewed appeared to have relevant convictions to disclose, based on analyzing criminal background records. Therefore, GAO did not identify any related reporting violations.
The figure below describes the typical filing and enforcement processes.
Typical Lobbying Disclosure Process
GAO found that most lobbyists reported some level of ease in complying with quarterly reporting requirements and understanding terms, such as lobbying activities, associated with these requirements.
Based on referrals from the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO) contacts lobbyists who have not filed their lobbying disclosure and contribution reports. For filing years 2016 through 2025, the office received 12,391 referrals for lobbyists who failed to file these reports. As of December 2025, about 46 percent of these referrals were closed as in compliance after lobbyists filed required reports. To improve compliance, the office takes various enforcement actions, such as emailing or calling lobbyists. GAO found that the number of enforcement actions taken based on referrals, as well as the percentage of referrals brought into compliance, have generally increased in recent years after earlier declines.
Why GAO Did This Study
The LDA requires lobbyists to file LD-2 reports and LD-203 reports, among other requirements. The law includes a provision for GAO to annually audit the extent of lobbyists' compliance with the act.
This report is GAO's 19th annual review under the provision and (1) determines the extent to which lobbyists demonstrated compliance with federal lobbying reporting requirements, (2) identifies lobbyists' perspectives on challenges or potential improvements to compliance with quarterly reporting requirements, and (3) describes the resources and authorities available to the USAO and efforts the office has made to improve enforcement.
GAO reviewed a stratified random sample of 101 LD-2s filed for the third and fourth quarters of calendar year 2024 and the first and second quarters of calendar year 2025. GAO also reviewed a random sample of 160 contribution reports from year-end 2024 and midyear 2025. This methodology allowed GAO to generalize to the population of 71,497 quarterly disclosure reports with $5,000 or more in lobbying activity and 35,735 contribution reports, respectively. In addition, GAO interviewed 95 lobbyists from the sample of quarterly disclosure reports to obtain their views on any compliance challenges or potential improvements to aid compliance. GAO also reviewed referrals data from the USAO and interviewed officials.
GAO provided a draft of this report to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for review. DOJ did not provide comments.
For more information, contact Lisa Van Arsdale at VanarsdaleL@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108486
Weapon Systems Testing: Reorganization of DOD's Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Weapon Systems Testing: Reorganization of DOD's Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation
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Fast Facts
DOD's Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation provides guidance and oversight to test weapon systems and ensure they are ready for deployment. In 2025, this office went through organizational changes, including large workforce reductions.
The changes streamlined some processes but also reduced the office's oversight capacity. For example, remaining staff
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Weapon Systems Testing: Reorganization of DOD's Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation
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Fast Facts
DOD's Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation provides guidance and oversight to test weapon systems and ensure they are ready for deployment. In 2025, this office went through organizational changes, including large workforce reductions.
The changes streamlined some processes but also reduced the office's oversight capacity. For example, remaining staffabsorbed more work than they could handle and didn't have the expertise to oversee some programs.
If these staff limitations continue, it will be challenging for this office to effectively oversee testing to determine whether weapon systems work as they should.
Aerial photo of the Pentagon building.
Highlights
What GAO Found
In response to the Secretary of Defense's direction in a May 2025 memorandum, the Department of Defense's (DOD) Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) made several organizational and staffing changes. These included
* creation of a Technical Director position and a space and strategic warfare area;
* elimination of Senior Executive Service-level Deputy Director positions; and
* significant reductions in civilian positions, including Action Officers responsible for assessing individual weapon system programs.
Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Staffing Levels Before and After May 2025 Memorandum
Note: DOT&E staff figures above include administrative staff in addition to warfare area staff. The figure does not include totals for military staff.
The organizational and staffing changes reduced DOT&E's capacity to oversee operational and live fire test and evaluation for the 173 DOD weapon system programs on its oversight list in 2025. According to DOT&E Action Officers, the significant workforce reductions resulted in them being assigned more programs, programs in warfare areas for which they lack subject matter expertise, or both. They also said the workforce reductions and resulting loss of subject matter expertise increase the risk of weapon systems being delivered to the warfighters with undocumented operational shortfalls. Other actions further affected DOT&E's oversight activities. For example, the work stoppage on a support contract disrupted access to test and evaluation data for about 2 months, and reductions to secure workspaces created challenges for Action Officers' oversight activities involving classified information.
The staff reductions since May 2025 constrain the depth and breadth of oversight that DOT&E can provide for DOD's weapon systems. This includes oversight of major defense acquisition programs and others, such as middle tier of acquisition programs-a growing area within DOD. DOT&E Action Officers expressed concern to GAO that the military departments could potentially use the middle tier of acquisition pathway to avoid certain operational and live fire testing requirements. As of June 2026, DOT&E is conducting an analysis of its workforce and workload in response to congressional inquiry.
Why GAO Did This Study
For more than four decades, DOT&E has provided oversight and guidance for operational testing of DOD's weapon systems. The Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum on May 27, 2025, directing DOT&E to immediately eliminate non-statutory or redundant functions within the organization and reduce its workforce.
Senate Report 119-39 to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 includes a provision for GAO to review recent reorganization activities within DOT&E. GAO briefed the congressional defense committees on its preliminary findings in May 2026. This report examines (1) changes to DOT&E's organizational structure in response to the May 2025 memorandum; (2) the extent to which the reorganization actions affect DOT&E's ability to provide oversight of major defense acquisition programs to meet statutory requirements; and (3) the extent to which the reorganization actions affect DOT&E's ability to provide oversight for additional programs on its oversight list, such as middle tier of acquisition or classified programs.
For more information, contact Shelby S. Oakley at oakleys@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108859
Veterans Health Administration: Further Improvements Needed to Manage Fraud Risks in Beneficiary Travel Program
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Veterans Health Administration: Further Improvements Needed to Manage Fraud Risks in Beneficiary Travel Program
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Fast Facts
The Veterans Health Administration reimburses eligible veterans and other beneficiaries' costs for travel to receive medical care. However, VA found this program made $1 billion in payment errors during FYs 2018-2024.
Our own testing found that:
* VA paid beneficiaries who provided ineligible departure addresses for reimbursement
* VA made duplicate payments to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Veterans Health Administration: Further Improvements Needed to Manage Fraud Risks in Beneficiary Travel Program
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Fast Facts
The Veterans Health Administration reimburses eligible veterans and other beneficiaries' costs for travel to receive medical care. However, VA found this program made $1 billion in payment errors during FYs 2018-2024.
Our own testing found that:
* VA paid beneficiaries who provided ineligible departure addresses for reimbursement
* VA made duplicate payments totransportation vendors
* Staff modified claim amounts during manual reviews, causing beneficiaries and vendors to receive more than the claimed amount
We made 9 recommendations, including monitoring and evaluating the agency's processes for ensuring claims and payments are correct.
Ambulance, stethoscope, and bold red question mark overlaid on cash.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported approximately $1 billion in cumulative estimated improper payments-including overpayments, underpayments, and unknown payments-across the Beneficiary Travel (BT) Program from fiscal years 2018 through 2024. During that period, 10 cases of fraud related to the BT Program were adjudicated. The cases involved at least 892 fraudulent claims and totaled at least $219,000. Most of the cases involved beneficiaries that fraudulently reported addresses.
VA has implemented data systems partly to mitigate fraud and improper payment risks in the BT Program. Examples include automatically verifying certain claim information before claims can be processed and flagging claims for further review if information is missing or does not appear to meet eligibility requirements.
GAO tested specific areas of risk for improper payments or fraud and found VA potentially made improper payments from fiscal years 2018 through 2023 totaling over $10 million in these areas. Specifically, GAO found instances in which
* VA potentially improperly paid beneficiaries who provided ineligible departure addresses, such as post office boxes rather than residential addresses;
* VA potentially made duplicate payments to special mode transportation (SMT) vendors for the same invoice; and
* VA staff manually modified BT claims, resulting in potentially improper payments to beneficiaries and SMT vendors, such as instances in which SMT vendors were paid amounts that exceeded the claimed amount.
Ineligible Departure Addresses May Result in Improper Payments
Since GAO's analysis, VA has made changes to prevent potential duplicate and improper payments. For example, VA began transitioning to a new system for processing certain SMT invoices and implemented new controls to prevent overpayments. However, VA has not ensured that existing controls have been implemented effectively, such as ensuring that staff use acceptable documentation to verify residential addresses to reduce the risk of improper payments. VA also has not monitored and evaluated its new controls to ensure they are operating effectively to reduce the risk of improper payments.
Why GAO Did This Study
VA reported spending over $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2025 to reimburse eligible veterans and others for certain necessary transportation costs associated with veteran health care through the BT Program.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, includes a provision for GAO to examine potential fraud and improper payments in this program. Among other things, this report examines VA's reported improper payments and adjudicated fraud in the BT Program and indicators of potential improper payments or fraud in the BT Program identified from selected data sources and VA's controls to mitigate related risks.
GAO reviewed relevant VA documents and adjudicated fraud cases and interviewed knowledgeable officials. To identify instances of potential improper payments, GAO analyzed information from VA's data systems used to process BT claims from fiscal years 2018 through 2023, the most recent full fiscal year for which data were available at the time of GAO's analysis.
Further, GAO compared VA's efforts against leading practices from GAO's Fraud Risk Framework, BT Program requirements, and VA's financial policies.
Recommendations
GAO is making nine recommendations to VA, including that VA provide guidance to staff on acceptable documentation for verifying residential addresses and monitor and evaluate its controls for SMT claims and invoices. VA concurred with all nine recommendations and indicated that it will take actions to implement them.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Veterans Affairs The Under Secretary for Health should develop guidance for BT Program staff on acceptable documentation for verifying residential addresses when claims do not meet BTSSS rules related to addresses or distance traveled. (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 Under Secretary for Health should communicate to staff responsible for processing invoices in IPPS the importance of adequately reviewing BT invoices to ensure they are not duplicates before certifying the invoices for payment. (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 Under Secretary for Health should regularly monitor and evaluate whether existing controls for preventing payment of potentially duplicate BT SMT claims and invoices between IPPS and eCAMS and within eCAMS are implemented as intended and are operating effectively to prevent payment of potentially duplicate SMT claims and, if necessary, revise controls. (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 Veterans Affairs The Under Secretary for Health should regularly monitor and evaluate whether controls used to validate payment amounts that are manually overridden in BTSSS are implemented and operating as intended to prevent potential overpayments. (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.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Under Secretary for Health should regularly monitor and evaluate whether controls to prevent potential BT overpayments resulting from staff manually pricing claims in eCAMS, including controls that automatically set the paid amount to the billed amount, are implemented as intended and are operating effectively and, if necessary, revise controls. (Recommendation 5)
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 Under Secretary for Health should clearly define and document the responsible and necessary authority to lead fraud risk management activities in the BT Program. This could include revising the BT Program directive to clarify the BT Program's designee for leading fraud risk management activities and completing and implementing revisions to VHA-wide guidance to include a requirement for program offices to have a designee for fraud risk management activities. (Recommendation 6)
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 Under Secretary for Health should update and enhance its fraud risk assessment for the BT Program to comprehensively identify and assess known fraud risks to the BT Program. This process should involve relevant stakeholders and sources of information on fraud risks. (Recommendation 7)
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 Under Secretary for Health should establish fraud risk tolerance as part of its BT fraud risk assessment and consider risk tolerance in assessing whether controls sufficiently address known risks, or whether VA needs to implement additional mitigating actions to address known risks. (Recommendation 8)
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 Under Secretary for Health should implement required initial and ongoing fraud-awareness training relevant to risks facing the BT Program for VA employees and contractors that handle BT claims. For example, information on known fraud risks could be incorporated into required training for BT Program staff that process claims through specific systems. This training should include information on the highest fraud risks to the BT Program, including both GHCT and SMT, such as risks related to eligibility, duplicate claims, and other risks that VHA identifies through fraud risk assessments. (Recommendation 9)
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.
See All 9 Recommendations
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107596
Financial Audit Manual: Volume 1, June 2026
WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Financial Audit Manual: Volume 1, June 2026
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Fast Facts
The Financial Audit Manual (FAM) presents a methodology for performing financial statement audits of federal entities in accordance with professional standards. It is a tool for enhancing accountability over taxpayer-provided resources.
This June 2026 revision replaces Financial Audit Manual, Volume 1 (June 2025 version) and contains the audit methodology.
The FAM's other volumes are:
Volume 2: detailed implementation guidance
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Financial Audit Manual: Volume 1, June 2026
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Fast Facts
The Financial Audit Manual (FAM) presents a methodology for performing financial statement audits of federal entities in accordance with professional standards. It is a tool for enhancing accountability over taxpayer-provided resources.
This June 2026 revision replaces Financial Audit Manual, Volume 1 (June 2025 version) and contains the audit methodology.
The FAM's other volumes are:
Volume 2: detailed implementation guidance
Volume 3: the Federal Financial Reporting Checklist
You can download all volumes of the FAM in Word and certain Excel templates, and see prior versions of the manual on the main FAM page.
Highlights
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) maintain the Financial Audit Manual (FAM).
For more information, please visit the main FAM page, or contact Dawn B. Simpson at SimpsonDB@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108577
Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual
WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual
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Fast Facts
Given the extensive use of information systems in government operations, it is essential that federal agencies have effective controls over these systems.
The (FISCAM) provides auditors a methodology and framework for assessing the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of information system controls in accordance with the Yellow Book.
This June 2026 revision replaces the 2024 version of FISCAM.
cover page.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual
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Fast Facts
Given the extensive use of information systems in government operations, it is essential that federal agencies have effective controls over these systems.
The (FISCAM) provides auditors a methodology and framework for assessing the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of information system controls in accordance with the Yellow Book.
This June 2026 revision replaces the 2024 version of FISCAM.
cover page.
Highlights
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) worked jointly on this revision of the (FISCAM), marking a major milestone in partnership and a shared commitment to strengthening and clarifying audit guidance.
For more information, please visit the main FISCAM page, or contact Dawn B. Simpson at simpsondb@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108633
National Alzheimer's Project: HHS Needs to Better Assess and Communicate Progress
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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National Alzheimer's Project: HHS Needs to Better Assess and Communicate Progress
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Fast Facts
One-third of older Americans die with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, brain disorders that seriously impair memory and disrupt daily living. The number of people with these diseases is expected to double by 2050.
The National Alzheimer's Project, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, has coordinated efforts to prevent and treat these challenging and complex conditions
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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National Alzheimer's Project: HHS Needs to Better Assess and Communicate Progress
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Fast Facts
One-third of older Americans die with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, brain disorders that seriously impair memory and disrupt daily living. The number of people with these diseases is expected to double by 2050.
The National Alzheimer's Project, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, has coordinated efforts to prevent and treat these challenging and complex conditionssince 2011.
This Q&A report looks at what the project has achieved, including early treatments and testing.
We also found that HHS hasn't followed key practices for tracking and sharing progress to inform next steps.
We made related recommendations.
An older person's hands rest on a wooden table near a paper brain. The person rests a finger on a jigsaw puzzle-style piece of the paper brain, which is missing from the paper brain and off to the side.
Highlights
What GAO Found
One in three older Americans dies with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. A 2011 law created the National Alzheimer's Project, which has been reauthorized through 2035. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has led the National Alzheimer's Project, which encompasses a range of federal agencies and activities to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The law did not provide appropriations for the project.
The project has contributed to numerous key achievements in combatting Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. For example, research related to the project has led to the first two approved treatments aimed at slowing disease progression for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The project also contributed to areas such as diagnostic testing and risk reduction, among others.
An Advisory Council was established as part of the project to develop recommendations to HHS and others to improve project efforts. HHS provides periodic updates on recent federal actions informed by some of these recommendations, but having more detailed information on the implementation status of individual recommendations would help the council identify remaining gaps and focus future recommendations to improve project efforts.
HHS collects updates on agency efforts to assess the project's progress. While HHS has set long-term goals for the project, such as reducing risk of Alzheimer's, it has not followed other key practices for performance management. Specifically:
* Setting near-term goals: HHS has not set near-term goals in alignment with the project's long-term goals (e.g., reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease). Near-term goals are tangible, measurable results that the agency expects the National Alzheimer's Project to achieve. Setting project-level near-term goals would help HHS assess the progress of the project as a whole.
* Information collection and use: Without near-term goals, HHS is unable to collect the information needed to assess progress and inform management decisions to adjust project efforts, as appropriate. Furthermore, HHS cannot effectively communicate progress to project stakeholders.
HHS officials noted that resource constraints may make it challenging to follow these key practices. However, doing so would help HHS more effectively assess its progress towards the project's goals, determine whether and where changes may be necessary, and more clearly communicate the results of this assessment. Clearly communicating the extent of progress would in turn help stakeholders better understand the returns on federal investments in the project and is particularly important given that the project is spread across multiple agencies and activities.
Why GAO Did This Study
The number of individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias in the U.S. is expected to nearly double by 2050. GAO was asked to review the National Alzheimer's Project. This report describes the project's achievements to date and examines HHS efforts to provide updates on council recommendations and assess project progress.
To do this work, GAO reviewed HHS project documentation, including HHS's updates to the National Plan and Advisory Council recommendations.
GAO interviewed HHS officials and recent non-federal members of the Advisory Council, selected based on factors including their background and role on the council. GAO also interviewed non-federal stakeholders engaged in this issue, including groups representing health care providers, state aging and disability agencies, caregivers, and patients.
GAO also evaluated project efforts against GAO's prior work on key practices for performance management.
Recommendations
GAO recommends HHS (1) provide the Advisory Council with information on the status of individual recommendations; (2) set near-term goals for each of the project's long-term goals; (3) collect and use performance information for project assessment and decision-making; and (4) communicate project progress to stakeholders in a clear, digestible format. HHS neither agreed nor disagreed with the recommendations.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should provide the Advisory Council with information on the implementation status of individual recommendations the council has made to federal agencies, including information on the actions taken to address them. (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 Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should set near-term goals for each long-term goal of the National Alzheimer's Project, that comprise performance measures, quantitative target levels of performance, and time frames by which results are to be achieved. (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 Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should collect performance information for the National Alzheimer's Project and use it to assess progress toward near- and long-term goals of the project, and inform management decisions to adjust efforts, as appropriate. (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 Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should communicate project progress to National Alzheimer's Project stakeholders in a clear, digestible format. (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-26-108498
Innovation in Action: Bringing New Ideas to Life
WASHINGTON, June 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Innovation in Action: Bringing New Ideas to Life
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Fast Facts
Every medication started as an idea. Our new Scroll-Driven Narrative tells the story of how pharmaceutical companies and the federal government work together to turn ideas into innovative medical treatments.
The companies can develop new drugs using patented discoveries made by federal researchers. This gives companies a head start and helps federal research make a bigger impact.
But the government can do a better job of
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WASHINGTON, June 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Innovation in Action: Bringing New Ideas to Life
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Fast Facts
Every medication started as an idea. Our new Scroll-Driven Narrative tells the story of how pharmaceutical companies and the federal government work together to turn ideas into innovative medical treatments.
The companies can develop new drugs using patented discoveries made by federal researchers. This gives companies a head start and helps federal research make a bigger impact.
But the government can do a better job ofmeasuring, tracking, and documenting these benefits.
For example, we found 34 drugs that were developed using National Institutes of Health research. But a lack of publicly available information made finding this difficult.
Illustration from our Scroll-Driven Narrative
Illustration of a pharmacist handing medication to a person
Highlights
This Scroll-Driven Narrative tells the story of how pharmaceutical companies and the federal government work together to turn ideas into innovative medical treatments. It is a companion to GAO's report Biomedical Research: NIH Should Publicly Report More Information about the Licensing of Its Intellectual Property, GAO-21-52. This product highlights key themes from GAO's prior work-particularly the lack of publicly available information on licensing of intellectual property developed through National Institutes of Health (NIH) research. It also highlights recommendations from GAO's prior work and NIH efforts to implement them.
For more information, contact Candice N. Wright at wrightc@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-109055
Cybersecurity: Selected Agencies Need to Better Protect Cloud Data
WASHINGTON, June 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Cybersecurity: Selected Agencies Need to Better Protect Cloud Data
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Fast Facts
Cloud computing services allow access to resources like networks, storage, and software. It can cost federal agencies less to use these services than to create their own. But using cloud computing services can pose cybersecurity risks.
We looked at how some agencies protect data in the cloud. Agencies we reviewed varied in implementing key cloud computing security practices. For example, some agencies didn't
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WASHINGTON, June 25 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Cybersecurity: Selected Agencies Need to Better Protect Cloud Data
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Fast Facts
Cloud computing services allow access to resources like networks, storage, and software. It can cost federal agencies less to use these services than to create their own. But using cloud computing services can pose cybersecurity risks.
We looked at how some agencies protect data in the cloud. Agencies we reviewed varied in implementing key cloud computing security practices. For example, some agencies didn'tfully continuously monitor security controls. Also, some agencies didn't document how to respond to or recover from cybersecurity incidents.
Our recommendations address these issues and more to ensure cloud services are safe.
A computerized image of different connecting dots that mimic internal processing routes, with a 3D image of a cloud on top.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Four selected agencies-the Departments of State, Transportation, Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA)-varied in their efforts to implement and ensure contractor compliance with three key cloud security practices. Specifically, one agency had fully implemented all three practices for two of its systems and one agency had fully implemented the practices for one of its systems. The agencies partially implemented the practices for the remaining five systems (see figure).
Agencies' Implementation of Key Cloud Security Practices
a Due to sensitivity concerns, GAO is not disclosing the names of the selected systems in this report. Systems are identified by their cloud service model.
For example, agencies fully performed continuous monitoring for three of the eight selected systems. Although most of the agencies developed and implemented a plan for continuous monitoring, they did not always review continuous monitoring deliverables from the provider. Agencies fully implemented the practice regarding service level agreements for five out of eight systems. For the remaining three systems, agencies' agreements did not consistently define performance metrics, including how they would be measured and the enforcement mechanisms.
Fully implementing the key practices will support the agencies' efforts to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of agency information in their cloud systems. For example, without a robust continuous monitoring program, the agencies may have diminished ability to identify and mitigate control deficiencies and emerging threats. Additionally, the agencies may not promptly detect unauthorized access attempts or anomalous activity, leaving critical systems and data exposed to compromise.
Why GAO Did This Study
Federal agencies are faced with the need to accelerate their adoption of cloud services while ensuring the systems that support their missions are secure. Consequently, working with cloud service providers to effectively implement information security controls is a vital part of reducing risks to agency systems.
The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 includes a provision for GAO to periodically evaluate federal agencies' information security policies and practices. This report assesses the extent to which selected agencies are ensuring contractor compliance with key cloud computing security practices.
To do so, GAO selected four agencies (State, Transportation, VA, SBA) based on their number of cloud authorizations, excluding agencies profiled in recent GAO reports. GAO reviewed two cloud systems at each agency, each of which represented a range of services. GAO administered a standard set of questions, compared documentation on the implementation of key cloud-related practices for each system identified in federal policies and guidance, and interviewed agency officials. GAO rated each agency as having fully, partially, or not implemented each practice for the selected systems.
Recommendations
GAO is making 12 recommendations to State, VA, and the SBA to fully implement key cloud security practices. VA agreed with the recommendations, and State neither agreed nor disagreed. SBA did not provide comments on the report. State and VA also described actions taken or planned to address the recommendations.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of State The Secretary of State should ensure that the agency fully implements continuous monitoring for its selected PaaS system, to include reviewing continuous monitoring deliverables from the cloud service provider. (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 State The Secretary of State should ensure that the agency fully implements incident response and recovery for its selected PaaS system, to include documenting plans or procedures for coordinating incident response and recovery with providers. (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 that the agency fully implements continuous monitoring for its selected PaaS system, to include collecting and reviewing audit logs. (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 Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure that the agency fully implements continuous monitoring for its selected SaaS system, to include collecting and reviewing audit logs. (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.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should ensure that the agency fully implements incident response and recovery for its selected PaaS system, to include documenting plans or procedures for measuring and tracking incident response time. (Recommendation 5)
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 agency fully implements incident response and recovery for its selected SaaS system, to include documenting plans or procedures for testing incident response and recovery procedures. (Recommendation 6)
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 agency's service level agreements with providers define performance metrics, including how they are measured and the enforcement mechanisms. (Recommendation 7)
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.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of the Small Business Administration should ensure that the agency fully implements continuous monitoring for its selected PaaS system, to include implementing a continuous monitoring plan, reviewing continuous monitoring deliverables from the cloud service provider, documenting the use of vulnerability management tools, and collecting and reviewing audit logs. (Recommendation 8)
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.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of the Small Business Administration should ensure that the agency fully implements continuous monitoring for its selected SaaS system, to include documenting the use of vulnerability management tools. (Recommendation 9)
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.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of the Small Business Administration should ensure that the agency fully implements incident response and recovery for its selected PaaS system, to include documenting plans or procedures for identifying, containing, and mitigating cloud security incidents; coordinating incident response and recovery with providers and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; ensuring providers report incidents promptly; measuring and tracking incident response time; and testing incident response and recovery procedures. (Recommendation 10)
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.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of the Small Business Administration should ensure that the agency fully implements incident response and recovery for its selected SaaS system, to include documenting plans or procedures for identifying, containing, and mitigating cloud security incidents; coordinating incident response and recovery with providers and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and measuring and tracking incident response time. (Recommendation 11)
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.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of the Small Business Administration should ensure that the agency's service level agreements with providers define performance metrics, including how they are measured and the enforcement mechanisms. (Recommendation 12)
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.
See All 12 Recommendations
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108443
GAOverview: FraudNet Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2025
WASHINGTON, June 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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GAOverview: FraudNet Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2025
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Highlights
What GAO Found
In fiscal year 2025 FraudNet processed over 9,350 allegations and referred about 3,100 of these to various organizations for further inquiry. FraudNet also conducted over 900 queries of commercial and law enforcement databases to assist GAO audits and investigations.
FraudNet Processed over 9,350 Allegations
In FY 2025, FraudNet processed over 9,350 allegations received from the public, as well
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WASHINGTON, June 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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GAOverview: FraudNet Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2025
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Highlights
What GAO Found
In fiscal year 2025 FraudNet processed over 9,350 allegations and referred about 3,100 of these to various organizations for further inquiry. FraudNet also conducted over 900 queries of commercial and law enforcement databases to assist GAO audits and investigations.
FraudNet Processed over 9,350 Allegations
In FY 2025, FraudNet processed over 9,350 allegations received from the public, as wellas government employees and contractors. Of these, FraudNet referred about 3,100 to other entities for potential action, including investigation. FraudNet referred allegations to over 60 entities, including the Offices of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice, and Veterans Affairs.
FraudNet's Investigative Research Analysts (IRA) review and document each allegation received. If IRAs determine an allegation should be referred elsewhere, they send it to federal OIGs or other federal, state, and local entities for potential action. The receiving entities determine whether and how they will address the allegation.
To avoid duplication of efforts, FraudNet generally does not refer allegations when the complainant indicates that the matter has already been submitted to another entity.
GAO does not independently investigate allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse submitted to FraudNet. Instead, FraudNet records all allegations in its case management system and makes them available to inform ongoing or future GAO work.
FraudNet IRAs Provided Research Support to GAO Audits and Investigations
In FY 2025, FraudNet conducted over 900 queries of commercial and law enforcement databases to support 10 GAO audits and investigations. For example, information from FraudNet queries aided GAO investigators when they made covert calls to ineligible providers with a history of billing insurance carriers participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. As discussed in the April 2026 report ( GAO-26-108139 ), these calls identified instances when ineligible providers were willing to accept patients with FEHB insurance, demonstrating ongoing fraud and improper payment risks within the program.
FraudNet IRAs do not alter any information submitted via the Online Complaint Form. When necessary, IRAs may contact complainants to request additional information.
GAO cannot accept classified information through the Online Complaint Form. Please call 1-800-424-5454 for guidance on submitting allegations that involve classified information.
Why This Matters
FraudNet's primary mission is to facilitate the reporting of allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of federal funds. It also supports GAO audits and investigations. This is a summary of FraudNet's activities for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
FraudNet's preferred method for receiving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement involving unclassified information is the Online Complaint Form. The form's prepopulated questions guide complainants in providing the key elements IRAs need to effectively assess and, as appropriate, refer allegations. The form is always available and allows complainants to upload supporting documentation at the time of submission.
For more information, contact Howard Arp at arpj@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108938
Federal Hazard Mitigation: FEMA Has Funded Small-Scale Renewable Energy Projects and Requires Applicants to Demonstrate Project Cost Effectiveness
WASHINGTON, June 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Federal Hazard Mitigation: FEMA Has Funded Small-Scale Renewable Energy Projects and Requires Applicants to Demonstrate Project Cost Effectiveness
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Fast Facts
Natural hazards, such as hurricanes and flooding, can cause significant damage to the electricity grid.
FEMA manages programs that communities can apply to for project funding that could help mitigate the effects of natural hazards. From FYs 2022-2024, FEMA provided about $13.6 million through hazard mitigation programs for 14
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
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Federal Hazard Mitigation: FEMA Has Funded Small-Scale Renewable Energy Projects and Requires Applicants to Demonstrate Project Cost Effectiveness
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Fast Facts
Natural hazards, such as hurricanes and flooding, can cause significant damage to the electricity grid.
FEMA manages programs that communities can apply to for project funding that could help mitigate the effects of natural hazards. From FYs 2022-2024, FEMA provided about $13.6 million through hazard mitigation programs for 14renewable energy projects, including rooftop solar panels.
FEMA generally requires funding applicants to analyze the costs and benefits of proposed projects.
Logo for FEMA printed on a piece of paper, which is sitting on top of a very large American flag.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated about $13.6 million for 14 renewable energy projects through hazard mitigation assistance programs from fiscal years 2022 through 2024, the most recent 3 years of available data. These projects included small-scale solar generation, such as rooftop solar panels, microgrids, or solar generators for backup power for communities or public buildings. For example, projects included solar panels for a hospital, a sheriff's office, and a recreation center to provide backup power during outages. FEMA provided this funding through FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs, which include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Congressionally Directed Spending, and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.
Figure 1: Residential Rooftop Solar Panels
For these projects, FEMA generally required applicants to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of their projects through a benefit-cost analysis-a quantitative analysis comparing the project's avoided future damage to the costs over the project lifetime. Under federal laws and FEMA policy, only cost-effective hazard mitigation activities are eligible for funding from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Congressionally Directed Spending, and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. FEMA provides applicants with a benefit-cost analysis toolkit to assist applicants with conducting benefit-cost analyses. GAO reported on the challenges applicants face performing a benefit-cost analysis, including the amount of resources and data needed, as well as steps FEMA was taking to make completing benefit-cost analyses easier for state and local jurisdictions.
Why GAO Did This Study
Natural hazards can damage energy and other infrastructure-including renewable energy-and pose threats to the reliability of the electricity grid. Specifically, extreme weather events have been the principal contributors to an increase in the frequency and duration of power outages in the United States. Power outages can affect residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers' ability to use electricity for lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration, public transportation, and other daily needs.
FEMA manages several assistance programs that can be used to fund projects to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards. These can include renewable energy projects, such as microgrids or backup power, to minimize the impact of power outages.
This report examines what funding FEMA has provided for renewable energy projects from fiscal years 2022 through 2024, and what FEMA requires from applicants to demonstrate cost effectiveness of projects. To do this work, GAO reviewed relevant legal requirements, FEMA data, FEMA program policies and guidance, and prior GAO reports. GAO also interviewed FEMA and Department of Energy officials and selected stakeholders knowledgeable about the role of renewable energy in hazard mitigation and FEMA funding.
For more information, contact Janet McKelvey at mckelveyj@gao.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108470
