Views on S. 1407
B-207547: Published: Jul 28, 1982. Publicly Released: May 6, 1985.
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Legislation has been proposed which would strengthen the U.S. Postal Service's investigatory and enforcement powers. The bill would grant the Postal Service authority to issue written inspection demands relating to matters under investigation, issue cease and desist orders regarding fraudulent activities conducted through the mail, and commence civil actions to obtain penalties for certain violations. GAO had several recommendations for clarifying those provisions of the bill dealing with the Postal Service's inspection demands and cease and desist orders. Although the bill directs the Postal Service to promulgate regulations governing inspection demands that are unreasonable, it needs clarification as to whether these provisions are intended to ensure the adoption of standards governing those investigative demands. One section of the bill provides the Postal Service with authority to issue cease and desist orders for certain illegal uses of the mail, and another section covers fraudulent activities not involving the mails that could not have been the subject of a cease and desist order under that section. Congress should consider whether existing Postal Service resources are adequate to assume a monitoring and enforcement role for fraudulent and related activities that do not involve the use of the mails. Provisions should be made for the Postal Service to coordinate the exercise of this expanded authority with other agencies having jurisdiction over the instrumentalities of commerce not involving the mails that might be used in connection with the violation of a Postal Service cease and desist order.
Nov 23, 2020
Consumer Privacy:
Better Disclosures Needed on Information Sharing by Banks and Credit UnionsGAO-21-36: Published: Oct 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 23, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Actions Needed to Improve Processes for Addressing Product Defect CasesGAO-21-56: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Oct 30, 2020
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Small Business Loans:
SBA Generally Incorporated Key Elements for Estimating Subsidy Cost of 7(a) ProgramGAO-20-618: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 30, 2020.
Oct 13, 2020
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Aviation Consumer Protection:
Increased Transparency Could Help Build Confidence in DOT's Enforcement ApproachGAO-21-109: Published: Oct 13, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 13, 2020.
Oct 1, 2020
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Small Business Administration:
COVID-19 Loans Lack Controls and Are Susceptible to FraudGAO-21-117T: Published: Oct 1, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
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Small Business Research Programs:
Many Agencies' Award Issuances Are Not Timely; Some Practices May Improve TimelinessGAO-20-693: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Sep 28, 2020
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Intellectual Property:
Additional Agency Actions Can Improve Assistance to Small Businesses and InventorsGAO-20-556: Published: Aug 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 28, 2020.
Jul 30, 2020
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Small Business Contracting:
Better Documentation and Reporting Needed on Procurement Center RepresentativesGAO-20-462: Published: Jun 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 2020.
Jun 29, 2020
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Small Business Subcontracting:
Oversight of Contractor Compliance with Subcontracting Plans Needs ImprovementGAO-20-464: Published: May 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 29, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
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Small Business Development Centers:
Reevaluation of How SBA Sets Initial Funding Estimate Needed to Help Reduce BurdenGAO-20-457: Published: May 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
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