Combating Terrorism:
Comments on Counterterrorism Leadership and National Strategy
GAO-01-556T: Published: Mar 27, 2001. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2001.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 512-6020
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
The federal government will spend approximately $11 billion to combat terrorism In fiscal year 2001. In the event of a domestic terrorist incident, state and local governments have the primary responsibility for managing the consequences of a terrorist attack. However, the federal government can assist state and local authorities if they lack the capability to respond adequately. On the basis of past and ongoing GAO work, two key issues emerge that the new President and Congress will face concerning programs to combat terrorism. First, the overall leadership and management of such programs are fragmented within the federal government. No single entity acts as the federal government's top official accountable to both the President and Congress. Fragmentation exists in both coordination of domestic preparedness programs and in efforts to develop a national strategy. The Department of Justice worked with other agencies to develop the Attorney General's Five-Year Interagency Counterterrorism and Technology Crime Plan. Although this plan is the current document that most resembles a national strategy, GAO believes that it still lacks some critical elements including measurable desired outcomes, linkage to resources, and a discussion of the role of state and local governments.
Feb 26, 2021
-
Immigration Enforcement:
ICE Can Further Enhance Its Planning and Oversight of State and Local AgreementsGAO-21-186: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 2021.
Feb 25, 2021
-
Airport Worker Screening:
TSA Could Further Strengthen Its Approach to Estimating Costs and Feasibility of Security MeasuresGAO-21-273: Published: Feb 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2021.
Feb 23, 2021
-
Southwest Border Security:
Actions Are Needed to Address the Cost and Readiness Implications of Continued DOD Support to U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionGAO-21-356: Published: Feb 23, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 23, 2021.
Feb 19, 2021
-
Countering Violent Extremism:
DHS Needs to Improve Grants Management and Data CollectionGAO-21-216: Published: Feb 1, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2021.
Feb 12, 2021
-
Immigration Detention:
Actions Needed to Improve Planning, Documentation, and Oversight of Detention Facility ContractsGAO-21-149: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 12, 2021.
Feb 3, 2021
-
2018 Pacific Island Disasters:
Federal Actions Helped Facilitate the Response, but FEMA Needs to Address Long-Term Recovery ChallengesGAO-21-91: Published: Feb 3, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 3, 2021.
Feb 2, 2021
-
Disaster Resilience:
FEMA Should Take Additional Steps to Streamline Hazard Mitigation Grants and Assess Program EffectsGAO-21-140: Published: Feb 2, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 2, 2021.
Jan 28, 2021
-
U.S. Ports of Entry:
Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership ProgramsGAO-21-234R: Published: Jan 28, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2021.
Jan 25, 2021
-
Southwest Border:
DHS and DOJ Have Implemented Expedited Credible Fear Screening Pilot Programs, but Should Ensure Timely Data EntryGAO-21-144: Published: Jan 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 25, 2021.
Jan 21, 2021
-
Chemical Security:
Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security GapsGAO-21-12: Published: Jan 21, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 21, 2021.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here