This report updates our oversight of federal actions to support public health, individuals, and the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings include: There have been shortages of personal protective equipment and testing supplies because very few of them are made in the U.S. and global demand for them is highHHS may be able to collect more complete data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, a...

Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, and Irma—4 of the costliest hurricanes in the U.S. since 2005—caused damage totaling trillions of dollars. Their effects on economic activity and employment in damaged areas varied widely. State and local government officials said that the storms significantly affected certain communities, local governments, households, and businesses. Communities are taking actions to...

Certain federal contracts that go to large businesses must have small business subcontracting plans. Under these plans, contractors have to make a good-faith effort to offer subcontracting opportunities to small businesses. Agencies are supposed to notify Small Business Administration representatives about proposed contracts with these plans for possible review. But for about half of the 26 contr...

Since 1980, weather disasters in the U.S. have caused more than $1.6 trillion in damage. Weather disasters, and federal spending on them, are expected to increase due to climate change, as our High Risk List indicates. Federal efforts to promote disaster resilience can help limit damage—and cost. This framework lays out 3 broad principles to guide these efforts: Information—Ensuring decision...

This is the Spanish language highlights associated with GAO-19-590.Lo que pudo constatar la Contraloría del Gobierno de los EE. UU. (GAO)Para apoyar sus objetivos de prosperidad, gobernanza y seguridad, los Departamentos de Estado (DOS), Defensa (DOD), Agricultura (USDA) y la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) asignaron aproximadamente US$ 2.400 millones desde...

The Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have long struggled with poverty, weak governance, and insecurity. In 2014, the U.S. government introduced a strategy to increase their prosperity and strengthen governance and security. Has the strategy been working? Agencies allocated $2.4 billion for 370 projects to support these objectives from fiscal years 2013 to 2018....

In 2017, 3 hurricanes struck Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico, causing severe damage and deaths. States and territories are responsible for identifying disaster-related deaths. Initially, Puerto Rico had reported 65 deaths directly related to Hurricane Maria, but later revised the official count to 2,975. Puerto Rico officials said damaged roads, power outages, and shortages of medical examiner s...

The Army Corps of Engineers builds water-related environmental infrastructure—such as wastewater treatment plants—for cities, counties, and regions. These infrastructure projects are known as "Section 219" projects after their authorizing law. The Corps spent about $81 million on 29 of these projects in fiscal years 2013-2017. While the Corps uses written criteria to prioritize funding for o...

The U.S. workforce has undergone rapid, widespread changes due to emerging technologies, shifts in international trade, and other factors. An array of federal economic adjustment assistance programs seek to help workers, businesses, and communities respond to these changes. We identified 15 programs and 1 tax credit intended to help these groups adjust. Programs targeted groups such as communiti...

In 2017, 4 disasters—hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and the California wildfires—created unprecedented demand for federal disaster help. The federal government has provided at least $120 billion in supplemental funding for these disasters, as well as help with response and recovery. For example, FEMA provided significant support to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to Hurri...