The effects of climate change have cost the federal government and taxpayers billions of dollars. These costs will likely increase in the future, even if actions are taken to address climate change. What should the federal government be doing to…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Banks that loaned money for commercial real estate venturesmay be feeling the pinch, as many offices and business spaces continueto sit vacant in the wake of COVID-19. A period of rising interest rateshas added to these concerns. We talk to GAO…Autor: Government Accountability Office

People with disabilities may experience domestic violence at a rate five times higher than those without disabilities. But domestic violence centers may struggle to provide assistance to these survivors. GAO's Elizabeth Curda, an expert on…Autor: Government Accountability Office

In a new report, we found that Black girls are disciplined much more often and more harshly than other children in public schools. GAO’s Jackie Nowicki tells us more.Autor: Government Accountability Office

China is the world's largest investor in international infrastructure financing and development. Through its initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative, China has expanded its influence with other countries. And this may pose significant…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The Department of Defense maintains a stockpile of critical materials that are essential to national defense and civilian life. This stockpile includes metals like titanium, which is used to prevent corrosion of weapons, and lithium used in…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Over the last 30 years, the Navy has assigned fewer personnel to ships. The goal was to reduce costs. But there have been concerns that fewer sailors has made it harder to maintain ships. And it could also have broader consequences for Navy…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Food insecurity among American Indian and Alaska Nativehouseholds is significantly greater than it is for all U.S. households.In recent years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has committed toremoving barriers that Tribes face when trying to…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The Department of Defense plans to spend big bucks modernizing the IT systems it uses for everything from health care and human-capital needs, to logistics and contracting. Congress asked GAO to look at whether DOD's efforts are meeting costs…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault often flee their homes to get away from their attackers. This can result in survivors having unstable housing situations. And for those who receive government assistance, such as rental housing…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Having police in schools has been the subject of considerable debate in recent years. Police can make students and teachers feel safer. But there are also concerns that students aren't being treated equally--that some students are being…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The Department of Energy is one of the largest federal research funding agencies. While this research funding is important, so is ensuring that companies that have licensing agreements with DOE are meeting U.S. manufacturing requirements, and that…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Several high-profile cases at multiple colleges have raised concerns about how schools are protecting student athletes from sexual harassment and violence. In a new report, we looked at some of the barriers athletes faced when reporting sexual…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Each year, GAO provides a quick look assessing the Department of Defense's major weapons programs. We look at things like investments, schedules, and practices for acquiring and developing weapons systems. This year's assessment comes at a…Autor: Government Accountability Office

In recent years, more veterans have sought treatment for mental health conditions. Providing them with timely access to this care is a top priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs. But the VA has struggled to meet this growing demand for…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Title IX prohibits discrimination in education programs based on sex. It's probably best known for its role in sports--helping to increase girls' and women's participation in athletics. But even after 50 years since its passage by…Autor: Government Accountability Office

After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a new worldwide health emergency--a global outbreak of Mpox, which may be better known as monkeypox. That outbreak once again highlighted the need for a strong federal response to public health emergencies. But…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Our new report estimates, for the first time, the direct financial losses from fraud across federal programs and operations. GAO looked at a recent 5-year period and is estimating annual losses from fraud to be between $233 and $521 billion dollars…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The F-35 Lightning II aircraft is the military's most advanced stealth fighter. It's the Department of Defense's most ambitious and costly weapons system. The military currently has about 600 of these jets with plans to buy nearly…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The first Move Over law originated in 1996 in South Carolina. Today, every state has its own law. But despite this, many drivers don’t know about them. We learn more about efforts to get the word out from GAO’s Elizabeth "Biza" Repko.Autor: Government Accountability Office

We expect our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to be combat ready. But sleep deprivation and fatigue can dramatically reduce readiness, and fatigue has been connected to accidents that have resulted in deaths, as well as hundreds of millions of…Autor: Government Accountability Office

At-home testing tools may aid early detection of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and be more cost effective for patients. In a new report, a Science & Tech Spotlight, we looked at the status of this at-home…Autor: Government Accountability Office

U.S. commercial airline traffic dropped 96% during peak pandemic times. In response, the federal government (the taxpayers) provided $132 billion in financial assistance to the industry and related businesses. Today, the industry has largely…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Congress has approved $113 billion dollars in aid for Ukraine. Today, GAO is issuing the first in a series of reports--requested by Congress--about the use and oversight of this assistance. Today’s report specifically looks at defense and security…Autor: Government Accountability Office

We're seeing more deepfakes on social media and in the news. These are videos, audio or images that have been manipulated using artificial intelligence. What's being done to combat these fakes? We find out from GAO's Brian Bothwell.Autor: Government Accountability Office

Head Start is an important program that supports earlylearning and development in young children (from birth to 5), who livein poverty. Nearly 800,000 young children were enrolled in Head Startprograms during the 2021-2022 school year. But many…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Serving in the military, especially combat, may carry a psychological cost for active-duty service members. If left untreated, behavioral health conditions--such as mental health and substance use disorders-- can worsen with consequences for the…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Here at GAO, we recognize economic trends can changequickly and have major impacts on Americans. We publish reports andprovide technical assistance to Congress to help members understandthese emerging issues and their potential policy options. On…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Many pregnant people take prenatal vitamins to promote healthy pregnancies and babies. But these widely used supplements are not subject to the same scrutiny for safety and labeling as prescription drugs. For a new report, we looked at whether some…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The U.S. and its allies face growing cyber threats from adversaries and individuals looking to undermine our democracies, institutions, and economies. These include threats from nations like China and Russia. In a new report, we looked at recent…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Medicaid is the government's program that helps low income, medically needy, populations receive health care services. Within Medicaid, managed care allows beneficiaries to receive these services from a network of approved providers. Spending…Autor: Government Accountability Office

As weather-related events--like hurricanes and wildfires--become more frequent and severe, meteorologists and others are looking for new ways to forecast these events. GAO's Brian Bothwell joins us to share his new report on the role artificial…Autor: Government Accountability Office

GAO publishes reports and provides technical assistance to Congress to help members understand the emerging technology and science issues and potential policy options. We recently named a new chief scientist to help lead this work. Met our new Chief…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Cyber-based attacks on federal systems have become more damaging and disruptive. Federal agencies are required to secure their IT systems from these attacks. GAO's Jennifer Franks joins us to look at our new report on the federal government…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Radioactive materials are commonly used for medical, industrial and research purposes. But after use, what's being done to ensure radioactive materials are disposed of safely. In a new report, we look at these concerns. GAO's Allison…Autor: Government Accountability Office

At the beginning of the pandemic, we heard a lot about shortages of hospital beds, ventilators, testing supplies, as well as doctors and nurses. GAO has reported heavily on the impacts of not being prepared for a pandemic. But in a new report, we…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Parents know that the first few years of a child's life include so many critical milestones. During those first few years, it's critical to identify any developmental delays a child might have and provide early intervention services. The…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Some foreign governments have harassed, abducted, threatened, or even assassinated U.S.-based individuals in an effort to silence their criticism. Prominent examples of transnational repression like this include the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal…Autor: Government Accountability Office

When NASA launched Artemis I last November, it used the world's most powerful rocket. The same rocket design, or Space Launch System, will be used in the Artemis II and III missions, with the goal of returning Americans to the moon for the…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Greenhouse gas emissions are a major contributor to climate change. The largest source of emissions in the U.S. is transportation occurring on our nation’s roadways, which are owned and run by state and local governments. We learn more about the…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Businesses are increasingly shifting their legal structuresfrom corporations-- that are subject to corporate income taxes--topartnerships. This shift has made it more difficult for the IRS toidentify taxable income and catch potential tax cheats…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Unemployment Insurance programs saw unprecedented increases in demand during the pandemic. But despite this increase, many Americans were extremely frustrated when they tried to apply facing delays and other issues in accessing this essential safety…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The federal government has 500 million square feet of office space, which costs billions of dollars each year to lease, operate and maintain. But many of these buildings are under-occupied. This is a long standing problem, but one that increased…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Every year, GAO sends letters to federal agencies highlighting our recommendations from past reports that we think should be prioritized because they would have an immediate high impact on the most pressing challenges facing their agencies and…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Artificial intelligence could transform national defense and security. The Department of Defense has designated it a top priority in its modernization efforts. What are DOD's plans to gain AI technology and capabilities? We'll learn more…Autor: Government Accountability Office

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to acquire 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters to help continue its mission--patrolling for homeland security, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. But construction of these ships faces delays, increasing costs and…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Nuclear weapons, along with other military weapon systems, are increasingly relying on software and other information technology to operate. But this increased reliance may make nuclear weapons and the systems they rely on more vulnerable to…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Social Security makes up a substantial percentage of the retirement income for many older Americans. But significant financial challenges threaten the government's ability to continue paying benefits in full. GAO's Kris Nguyen discusses…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Funding to support small businesses and their employees, who were impacted by the pandemic, totaled over $1 trillion. While this assisted more than 10 million businesses, some of it went to those who sought to defraud the government. We'll…Autor: Government Accountability Office

Widespread cancellations and delays seemed commonplace during the last holiday travel season. But while airlines are taking actions to address the causes of these disruptions, larger obstacles may lie ahead, including concerns about major shortages…Autor: Government Accountability Office