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Open Recommendations

Transportation Worker Identification Credential: Actions Needed to Address Maritime Security Risks
GAO-26-107521
Jul 28, 2026
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7 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Transportation Security Administration The TSA Administrator should develop and implement a communication plan to systematically relay TWIC® program updates to stakeholders. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should communicate TWIC®-related violation and deficiency data with inspectors in the field who enforce TWIC® requirements. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should include deficiency data in its TWIC® performance measure reporting. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should develop a method to mitigate the risks of unauthorized individuals with TWIC® cards on the Canceled Card List accessing secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should coordinate with TSA, through DHS, to acquire TWIC® reader devices for use during inspections. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Transportation Security Administration The TSA Administrator should coordinate with the Coast Guard, through DHS, to acquire TWIC® readers for use during inspections, as appropriate. (Recommendation 6)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Environmental Liabilities: Coast Guard Should Give Congress More Information on Millions of Dollars in Potential Costs
GAO-26-108173
Jul 14, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should expand the information provided to Congress regarding the Coast Guard's fiscal exposure for environmental cleanup activities, for example by identifying cleanup projects that are not reasonably estimable and the magnitude of uncertainties in its estimates in supplemental or other budget materials. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should develop a long-term strategy for managing the Coast Guard's environmental liabilities program that incorporates the elements of the risk-informed decision-making framework, such as having clearly defined program objectives by which to measure progress, evaluating outcomes, and analyzing ways to optimize its cleanup projects for potential cost savings. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Actions Needed to Ensure Complete Reports to Congress on Unidentified Remains and Rescue Beacons
GAO-26-108818
Jul 14, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Customs and Border Protection The Commissioner of CBP should ensure that Border Patrol updates its internal operating procedures to document the reporting elements required by the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019.
Open
In commenting on our draft report, DHS agreed with the recommendation. DHS noted that Border Patrol initiated a review of its internal operating procedures by subject matter experts. As part of this effort, Border Patrol plans to ensure all reporting elements mandated by the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019 are documented in internal operating procedures. DHS noted that Border Patrol intends to complete these actions by October 30, 2026. We will continue to monitor Border Patrol's efforts to address this recommendation.

Disaster Contracting: Actions Needed to Encourage Advance Contract Use and Improve Information Sharing and Oversight
GAO-26-108121
Jun 09, 2026
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6 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should define the Procurement Disaster Assistance Team's and Regional Offices' roles and responsibilities in encouraging state, local, and tribal governments to award advance contracts for debris removal, including how they should coordinate and share information. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should ensure that the Procurement Disaster Assistance Team updates its training materials to include quality information, such as other governments' success stories using advance contracts. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Corps of Engineers The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works should ensure that the Chief of Engineers and the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conduct an analysis of the information sharing practices for debris removal missions, including the differences between the Hurricane Helene and Los Angeles wildfires, and identify any lessons learned for responding to future disasters. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should take steps, such as providing training on how to use checklists, to ensure Consolidated Resource Center officials are aware of cost eligibility policy requirements for reviewing grants involving noncompetitive and time-and-material contracts. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should conduct regular assessments to identify risks of fraud, waste, and abuse in FEMA's debris removal program. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The FEMA Administrator should ensure that the PA program develops a process for addressing fraud, waste, and abuse risks identified in regular risk assessments of its debris removal program, including evaluating and revising its controls for these risks and, if necessary, instituting additional controls. (Recommendation 6)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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