Even before COVID-19, the federal government's long-term fiscal path was unsustainable because debt was growing faster than the economy. By the end of FY 2019, debt held by the public had climbed to 79% of GDP. It is expected to reach 195% of GDP by FY 2050. We testified that the federal government does not have a long-term fiscal plan to control the growing debt. Such a plan could benefit from fi...

This report supersedes GAO-06-394SP, GAO's International Protocols, January 2006. This document contains the protocols governing the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) work that has international components or implications. These protocols provide clearly defined and transparent policies and practices on how GAO will interact with U.S. federal departments and agencies, other national go...

The government's public debt will reach 107% of GDP by the end of 2023—its highest point in history—according to the Congressional Budget Office. The growing debt will require attention once the economy has substantially recovered from COVID-19 and public health goals have been achieved. Fiscal rules and targets can help manage debt by controlling factors like spending and revenue. We identifi...

We make more than 1,000 recommendations annually to help improve government. We alert department heads to the recommendations that can save the most money, address issues on our High Risk List, or significantly improve their operations. This report outlines our 55 priority open recommendations for HHS as of April 2020. For example, HHS should work with its interagency biodefense team to document...

After the Sept. 11 attacks, insurers generally stopped covering terrorism risk. Through the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, Congress sought to ensure available, affordable commercial insurance for this risk. Under this program, the government and insurers share losses. Since 2003, the share of any losses insurers would pay has increased and the federal government’s share (and related fiscal risk)...

This report provides an update on the federal government’s fiscal condition at the end of FY 2019 and the unsustainable path it is on if policies don’t change. Among its findings: Publicly held debt rose to 79% of GDP. The Congressional Budget Office and this new report both project it will continue to grow Interest on the debt is the fastest growing item in the budget; it is projected to b...

We testified about the federal government’s fiscal condition at the end of FY 2019 and the unsustainable path it is on if policies don’t change. Among our findings: Publicly held debt rose to 79% of GDP. The Congressional Budget Office and our new report both project it will continue to grow Interest on the debt is the fastest growing item in the budget; it is projected to be the largest sp...

In fiscal year 2019, our work yielded a record $214.7 billion in financial benefits, a return of about $338 for every dollar invested in us. We also identified 1,418 other benefits that led to better services for the American people and other improvements across government. U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro discusses GAO's fiscal year 2021 budget request in this testimony before the Senate Sub...

In fiscal year 2019, our work yielded a record $214.7 billion in financial benefits, a return of about $338 for every dollar invested in us. We also identified 1,418 other benefits that led to better services for the American people and other improvements across government. U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro discusses GAO's fiscal year 2021 budget request in this testimony before the House Subc...

A deepfake is a video, photo, or audio recording that seems real but has been manipulated with artificial intelligence technologies. Deepfakes are usually pornographic and disproportionately victimize women. However, deepfakes can also be used to influence elections or incite civil unrest. Anyone with basic computing skills and a home computer can create a deepfake. Some methods to detect deepfak...