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In the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, the United States
and its allies responded with wide-ranging sanctions and export controls
on Russia. What...

Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia
Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia

The U.S.'s defense budget makes up about half of all federal discretionary spending. But even so, there are billions of dollars in "unfunded...

What are DOD's Unfunded Priorities?
What are DOD's Unfunded Priorities?

On this special episode of the podcast, we sit down with GAO's Chief Quality Officer Tim Bowling to discuss how GAO protects our fact-based...

Bowling Podcast website art Your GAO 2025
GAO Is Nonpartisan. Here’s How We Do It

On this special episode of the podcast, we sit down with GAO’s Managing Director of Congressional Relations Nikki Clowers to discuss how GAO serves...

Nikki Clowers Podcast website art - Your GAO
How GAO Serves Congress

The IRS has a long-standing goal of improving its taxpayer
services and experiences. But many Americans still struggle to connect
with the IRS or...

IRS’s Efforts to Improve Customer Service and the Taxpayer Experience
IRS’s Efforts to Improve Customer Service and the Taxpayer Experience

Each year, the federal government spends more than $100 billion on IT systems and cyber-related investments. About 80% of this funding goes to...

Which Critical Government IT Systems Are Most In Need of Modernization?
Which Critical Government IT Systems Are Most In Need of Modernization?

NASA plans to invest billions this year on major projects, including those that would return American astronauts to the moon. For our annual report on...

Our 2025 Assessment of NASA's Major Projects
Our 2025 Assessment of NASA's Major Projects

Cars, trucks and other vehicles are a major source of emissions that have had serious consequences on air quality and people's health. One study...

Are Efforts to Reduce Emissions through Road Projects Working, Cost Effective?
Are Efforts to Reduce Emissions through Road Projects Working, Cost Effective?

Under harsh conflict conditions, Ukrainians have struggled to operate nuclear power plants and to secure nuclear and radioactive materials from...

Ukraine Nuclear Security and Safety Efforts
Ukraine Nuclear Security and Safety Efforts

This transition from military to civilian life can be difficult for many. Suicide rates among veterans are about 2.5 times higher during that first...

Mental Health Screenings for Military Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life
Mental Health Screenings for Military Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life

The U.S. Army is shifting its focus from counterinsurgency-style warfare to large scale combat operations. And with this shift comes an urgent need...

U.S. Army's Efforts to Modernize Artillery, Missiles for a New Era of Warfare
U.S. Army's Efforts to Modernize Artillery, Missiles for a New Era of Warfare

For decades, the Department of Energy has been working to clean up dangerous nuclear waste left behind by U.S. nuclear weapons production and energy...

A New Nuclear Waste Cleanup Plan Could Save Billions
A New Nuclear Waste Cleanup Plan Could Save Billions

After a natural disaster, the Small Business Administration helps homeowners and businesses recover by providing loans. While this funding is...

SBA Disaster Loans—Limiting Duplication of Assistance
SBA Disaster Loans—Limiting Duplication of Assistance

The financial services sector is increasingly using artificial intelligence to automate services and decisions. While this could provide benefits for...

The Financial Sector is Increasing Its Use of Artificial Intelligence. What’s the Risk?
The Financial Sector is Increasing Its Use of Artificial Intelligence. What’s the Risk?

The Department of Veterans Affairs processed about 2 million disability benefits claims in fiscal year 2023. Navigating the claims process can be...

Veterans Benefits--Program to Help Vets with Disabilities Claims Needs Better Oversight
Veterans Benefits--Program to Help Vets with Disabilities Claims Needs Better Oversight

Fraud in federal programs is a significant and persistent problem. Some fraud is perpetrated by private companies that obscure their ownership...

To Fight Fraud, Inspectors General Need Help Identifying Companies’ Ownership
To Fight Fraud, Inspectors General Need Help Identifying Companies’ Ownership

About 25% of college students face food insecurity. Over the years, efforts have been made to better connect students with food assistance programs. A...

Improving College Students’ Access to Food Assistance
Improving College Students’ Access to Food Assistance

Drug shortages are a serious public health concern. They can delay or limit a patient's access to effective care, with potentially dire consequences...

How is FDA working to Prevent Drug Shortages?
How is FDA working to Prevent Drug Shortages?

Increasingly, Americans are falling victim to more frequent and sophisticated scams. Technology is helping to fuel this increase. And it’s costing...

As Scams Become More Costly and Sophisticated, What is Needed to Protect Consumers?
As Scams Become More Costly and Sophisticated, What is Needed to Protect Consumers?

On this special episode of the Watchdog Report, we'll listen in on a conversation between GAO Director Cardell Johnson and his team, who worked on a...

Hurricane Hunters from NOAA and the Air Force Face the Growing Storm
Hurricane Hunters from NOAA and the Air Force Face the Growing Storm

Protecting federal buildings and facilities from growing threats is a big, important job. We recently tested security at some of these facilities. We...

We Went Undercover to Test Federal Building Security
We Went Undercover to Test Federal Building Security

Criminal organizations and terrorist groups use money laundering to carry out their crimes, including human and drug trafficking. Federal agencies...

Federal Efforts to Combat Criminals' Illicit Financial Activities
Federal Efforts to Combat Criminals' Illicit Financial Activities

Artificial intelligence could be used to improve services and utilities we use every day—such as electricity, water, transportation, banking, and more...

Artificial Intelligence Could Improve Critical Infrastructure Services, But It Comes with Risks
Artificial Intelligence Could Improve Critical Infrastructure Services, But It Comes with Risks

To prevent the federal government from defaulting on its debt when it neared the debt limit in 2023, Congress voted to suspend the debt ceiling...

As Debt Limit Deadline Looms, What is Needed to Avoid A Default and Its Potential Widespread Consequences?
As Debt Limit Deadline Looms, What is Needed to Avoid A Default and Its Potential Widespread Consequences?
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