diff --git "a/L-CiteEval-Hardness/gov_report.json" "b/L-CiteEval-Hardness/gov_report.json" --- "a/L-CiteEval-Hardness/gov_report.json" +++ "b/L-CiteEval-Hardness/gov_report.json" @@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ "839,846 mentioned above). The JSAS\u2019s actuary also estimated the present value of participating judges\u2019 future contributions to be $78,123,909. Thus the federal government\u2019s share for plan year 2007 is the difference between $157,839,846 and $78,123,909, or $79,715,937. Federal government\u2019s actuarially recommended contribution rate. The federal government\u2019s actuarially recommended contribution rate is equal to the federal government\u2019s share of future financing ($79,715,937) divided by the present value of the participating judges\u2019 future salaries ($3,", "078,464,410). For the plan year 2007 the rate was 2.59% ($79,715,937 divided by $3,078,464,410). Thus, the actuarially recommended federal contribution is the product of the federal government\u2019s actuarially recommended contribution rate and the participating judges\u2019 salaries. The federal government\u2019s contribution is approved through an annual appropriation. It has varied, both above and below the actuarially recommended amount. Lump sum payout. Under JSAS, a lump sum payout may occur upon the dissolution of marriage either through divorce or death of spouse.", " Payroll contributions cease, but previous contributions remain in JSAS. Also, if there is no eligible surviving spouse or child upon the death of a participating judge, the lump sum payout to the judge\u2019s designated beneficiaries is computed as follows: Lump sum payout equals the total amount paid into the plan by the judge plus 3 percent annual interest accrued, less 2.2 percent of salaries for each participating year (forfeited amount). In effect, the interest plus any amount contributed in excess of 2.2 percent of judges\u2019 salaries will be refunded.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 2, @@ -57,7 +58,8 @@ " Although appropriations for IHS have increased over time, the FY2018 appropriation represents a larger increase than in prior years. In particular, the FY2018 appropriation included increases for a number of programs funded under the Indian Health Facilities account, which includes maintenance and improvement and construction of new facilities. In addition, the FY2018 appropriation increased funding for mental health and alcohol and substance abuse services, provided new funding for the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund, and included language to require IHS to conduct an analysis of IHS locations and services relative to the IHS user population. The FY2019 President's request represents a decrease from FY2018 levels for a number of IHS programs and activities.", " However, final FY2018 appropriations had not been enacted during the period in which the FY2019 President's request was being formulated. While the total request for IHS represents a decrease from FY2018-enacted levels, it represents an increase from FY2017-enacted levels and the FY2018 annualized continuing resolution levels that were in place at the time the FY2018 request levels were being determined. IHS Third-Party Collections IHS facilities collect payments from third-party payors for services provided to IHS beneficiaries who are also enrolled in other programs. These collections are an important source of IHS's clinical services (see Table 1 ). Medicaid is the largest source of IHS's collections\u2014accounting for approximately 68%", " of all third-party collections in FY2017, the most recent year of final data available\u2014followed by Medicare (21% in FY2017) and private insurance (9% in FY2017). Beginning in FY2014, IHS began receiving payments from the VA for services provided to IHS beneficiaries who were also enrolled in the VA (these payments were 2% of all of IHS's third-party collections in FY2017). \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 3, @@ -258,7 +260,8 @@ " 2008. NRC's FY2009 appropriation for Yucca Mountain licensing was $49.0 million, but NRC noted that previously appropriated funding raised the total FY2009 spending level to $59.0 million. The House provided the full NRC request for Yucca Mountain licensing, but the Senate cut the amount to $29.0 million. The conference agreement included the lower Senate level. The Obama Administration has pledged to halt the Yucca Mountain repository and find alternative strategies for handling nuclear waste, but it has allowed the Yucca Mountain licensing process to continue. However, Senator Reid, a long-time opponent of the proposed Yucca Mountain repository,", " announced on July 29, 2009, that the Administration had agreed to terminate the Yucca Mountain licensing effort in the FY2011 budget request. For reactor oversight and incident response, NRC's FY2010 budget request included $263.2 million, about $2 million above the FY2009 level. Those activities include reactor safety inspections, collection and analysis of reactor performance data, and oversight of security exercises. (For more information on protecting licensed nuclear facilities, see CRS Report RL34331, Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].) The Energy Policy Act of 2005 permanently extended a requirement that 90%", " of NRC's budget be offset by fees on licensees. Not subject to the offset are expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund to pay for waste repository licensing, spending on general homeland security, and DOE defense waste oversight. The offsets in the FY2010 request would have resulted in a net appropriation of $183.9 million, an increase of $9 million from FY2009. The House approved the requested FY2010 net appropriation, while the Senate-passed net appropriation was $159.7 million. The net appropriation in the conference agreement, including the inspector general, is $154.7 million.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 4, @@ -358,7 +361,8 @@ " and Naval Supply Systems Command, Naval Inventory Control Point-Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. We also performed additional work at the Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and had discussions with officials at the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command in Warren, Michigan. We further examined budget stratification data from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Defense Logistics Agency. Using that budget stratification data, we reviewed all items present in the September 30 budget stratification reports for both 2002 and 2005 to determine the changes in average acquisition lead time for those items.", " We were unable to obtain budget stratification data for the components for 1994, and thus simply reported the results of our 1994 GAO report evaluating overall lead times for each component. Additionally, we requested and analyzed the summary budget stratification reports for all components for September 2002 through September 2005 to determine any changes in average acquisition lead time and budget requirements from 2002 to 2005. Based on our efforts, we determined that the data were sufficiently reliable for the purposes of our report. We conducted our work from November 2005 through November 2006 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.", " Appendix II: Comments from the Department of Defense Appendix III: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Acknowledgments In addition to the contact listed above, Lawson Gist, Jr., Assistant Director, Rebecca Beale, Christopher Miller, Terry Richardson, Grant Mallie, Catherine Hurley, Minette Richardson, Nancy Hess, Art James, Renee Brown, Gayle Fischer, Kenneth Patton, and Nicole Harms made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 5, @@ -461,7 +465,8 @@ " are as follows: Upper-level positions are more than twice as likely as midlevel positions to be filled by upstretch assignments. Positions in the greatest hardship and medium hardship categories are more likely than those in the least hardship category to be filled by lower-level employees, by factors of 1.81 and 1.47, respectively. Specialist positions are less likely than generalist positions to be filled by employees whose grades are lower than the positions, by a factor of 0.75. Positions in East Asia and the Pacific and Europe are less likely to be filled by upstretch assignments than those in the Western hemisphere,", " by factors of 0.80 and 0.72, respectively. The lowest-ranked embassies (ranks 1 and 2) are only about half as likely as the embassies ranked 5+ to be filled by upstretch assignments, while embassies with other ranks and nonembasssies are not significantly different from embassies ranked 5+. AIP positions are half as likely to be filled by upstretch assignments as non-AIP positions. Appendix III: Comments from the Department of State Appendix IV: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above,", " Anthony Moran, Assistant Director; Howard Cott; Kara Marshall; Grant Mallie; Doug Sloane; Martin De Alteriis; Karen Deans; and Grace Lui provided significant contributions to the work.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 6, @@ -539,7 +544,8 @@ " This provision, which would have increased taxes on such companies by an estimated $0.8 billion over the 10-year period from FY2006 to FY2015, was deleted from the final law, the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2006 ( P.L. 109-222 ). Finally, Table 2 excludes targeted taxes that impose special tax liabilities on the domestic oil and gas industry\u2014taxes that are not imposed on other industries. These would include taxes such as the motor fuels excise taxes (e.g., the 18.4\u00a2 per gallon tax on gasoline, the 24.4\u00a2 per gallon tax on diesel)", " and the oil spill liability trust fund excise tax, which imposes a $0.05 per barrel tax on every barrel of crude oil refined domestically. These taxes are imposed on refiners, although under normal (and stable) market conditions they are shifted forward (or passed through the distribution and retailing chain) and largely paid by consumers. The motor fuels excise taxes (including the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Tax) represent a tax liability\u2014the amount of revenues collected by the federal government\u2014of about $36 billion in FY2006; revenues collected from the oil spill liability excise tax are estimated by the JCT at $0.", "150 billion.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 7, @@ -723,7 +729,8 @@ " of spending in this function is mandatory, and almost all of the mandatory spending consists of payments for Medicare benefits. Congress provides an annual appropriation for the costs of administering and monitoring the Medicare program. Figure 2 shows estimated outlays for Medicare, from FY2014 through FY2023, under the President's budget, the House resolution, and the Senate resolution. The figure shows relatively little difference between the budgets and the funding for Medicare, with the Senate resolution providing slightly more funding than the others, particularly in the later years. Both the President's budget and the Senate resolution assume that the SGR physician payment system would be fixed, and that the 2%", " reduction in Medicare benefit spending under sequestration would not take place; these assumptions were incorporated into their respective Medicare spending baselines. The President's budget also includes a number of specific legislative proposals (see the \" Medicare Legislative Proposals \" and \" Medicaid Legislative Proposals \" sections of this report) that the Administration estimates will save a net of $371 billion compared to the baseline over the next ten years. The Senate resolution did not include specific cost-reduction proposals, but the Senate resolution includes savings of $265 billion over the next ten years through delivery system changes, increased efforts to reduce fraud and abuse, and greater engagement across the health care system.", " The House budget resolution assumes a fix to the SGR physician payment system plus a repeal of the IPAB, however the resolution did not indicate how the cost increases associated with these two proposals were reflected in their Medicare spending baseline estimates. While the House resolution assumes a slight decrease in Medicare spending ($129 billion) over the next ten years compared to current CBO baseline projections (which is based on current law and assumes future reductions in physician payments and continuation of the 2% Medicare spending reductions under sequestration), the resolution did not provide specifics on how spending would be reduced to these lower levels, nor whether the 2% benefit reductions under sequestration would continue." - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 8, @@ -779,7 +786,8 @@ "5 percent loans to a yield that eliminates the minimum could lower SAP for loans made or purchased in the future. Changing the yield for 9.5 percent loans made or purchased in the future is unlikely to cause outstanding bonds to default, but lenders may not be able to offer the same borrower benefits, such as loan cancellation and interest rate reductions, in the future. Unlike other loans whose rates of return vary because they are tied to market interest rates, those financed with pre-10/1/93 tax-exempt bonds have a guaranteed minimum rate of return. In an environment where interest rates are low, current law and policies provide an opportunity for lenders to increase the amount of loans guaranteed a minimum 9.", "5 percent rate. Even if interest rates rise somewhat in the future, the difference between the borrower rate and the minimum 9.5 percent yield will still be large. This will require the government to continue to pay larger SAP than it would otherwise have if the loans did not have a guaranteed minimum of 9.5 percent. Appendix II: Comments from the Department of Education Appendix III: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contacts Staff Acknowledgments In addition to those named above, the following people made significant contributions to this report: Cynthia Decker, Margaret Armen, Richard Burkard,", " Jason Kelly, Rebecca Christie, and Jeff Weinstein.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 9, @@ -813,7 +821,8 @@ " 112-54 ), authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue APEC Business Travel Cards, which allow expedited immigration processing through airline crew lanes upon arrival at any U.S. international airport port of entry, but are not a substitute for an entry visa (if required). Over the last few years, APEC has emerged as an issue in U.S. relations with China. While some U.S. observers are apprehensive about China's growing assertiveness in Asia and its active program to negotiate free trade agreements in the region, some Chinese officials and scholars view the U.S. effort to use APEC to promote an FTAAP and negotiate a TPP without China's participation as part of a greater U.S.", " strategy of containment of China. Finally, as an APEC member, the United States must contribute to the annual budget of APEC to maintain the APEC Secretariat in Singapore and finance various APEC activities and programs. In previous fiscal years, the level of direct U.S. financial support for APEC was $901,000 per year. Congress appropriated additional funds in fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011 to finance preparations and programs related to hosting APEC in 2011. The Congressional Budget Justification for FY2013 includes a request for $1.028 million for APEC support. Appendix A.", " Agenda for APEC Meetings in Vladivostok, Russia Appendix B. U.S. Trade with APEC Trade with the 20 other APEC members constitutes a major component of U.S. merchandise trade. The top 3 U.S. trading partners in 2011 are APEC members, as are 6 in the top 10. The following table lists the U.S. exports, imports, total trade and balance of trade with each of the 20 other APEC members.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 10, @@ -851,7 +860,8 @@ " Congress's inaction suggests that Congress has accepted the authority of the President to issue cross-border permits.\" Based on the historical recognition of the President's authority to issue those permits and Congress's implied approval through inaction, the court found the permit requirement for border facilities constitutional. Legislative Proposals for Cross-Border Permits As the aforementioned cases show, courts have analyzed the President's exercise of cross-border infrastructure permitting authority and have held that it is a legitimate exercise of the President's constitutional authority, and that it does not require legislative authorization. However, they have indicated that congressional inaction plays a role in validating this exercise of executive branch authority, suggesting that these roles could be amended through legislation should Congress choose to do so.", " During the Obama presidency, Congress considered various bills to amend the presidential permitting process generally, or to authorize construction and operation of the Keystone XL border crossing facility. The January 24, 2017, Executive Memorandum issued by President Trump and the subsequent permitting of the Keystone XL pipeline border crossing facility by the State Department in accordance with that Memorandum appear to have obviated the need for the latter in this case. However, many in Congress still seek to overhaul the existing permitting framework, which was created entirely by the executive branch, in favor of a framework established by statute. Accordingly, on July 19, 2017, the House passed the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act ( H.R.", " 2883 ). Among other provisions, the act would eliminate the Presidential Permit requirement for cross-border crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, and electric transmission infrastructure (\u00a7 2(d)). Instead, developers would require \"certificates of crossing\" from FERC for cross-border oil, petroleum products, and gas pipelines, or from DOE for cross-border electric transmission (\u00a7 2(a)(2)). However, the statute does not appear to apply to other hazardous liquids infrastructure\u2014notably natural gas liquids (e.g., propane) pipelines\u2014so the State Department would retain its traditional Presidential Permit authority for these facilities.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 11, @@ -898,7 +908,8 @@ " and 3 categories for patients requiring custodial care, based on the RUG reported on the initial assessment. To examine the differences in the provision of therapy services, we aggregated the reported physical, occupational, and speech therapy minutes for each assessment. We calculated the number of initial assessments that had used estimated minutes to qualify patients into a rehabilitation category by counting the number of first assessments that reported actual therapy minutes below the minimum number of minutes required in the three rehabilitation categories (high, medium, and low). To determine the extent to which patients received the estimated therapies, we calculated, for the patients who had a second assessment,", " the percent who had received less than the minimum number of therapy minutes required for the RUG reported on the initial assessment. We also interviewed CMS staff responsible for SNF policy and we reviewed regulations, literature, and other documents relating to SNF PPS and MDS. Appendix II: Therapy Minutes, Activities of Daily Living, and Medicare Payment Rates to SNFs Appendix II: Therapy Minutes, Activities of Daily Living, and Medicare Payment Rates to SNFs Patients are classified into the custodial categories according to their need for nursing services and assistance with ADLs. These patients typically do not meet the criteria for Medicare coverage because they generally do not require skilled nursing care.", " Appendix III: Comments from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 12, @@ -988,7 +999,8 @@ " although it lacks regulatory or statutory meaning. The National Research Council, in its interim report Improving the Regulation and Management of Low-Level Radioactive Wastes found that the current system of regulating low-activity waste lacked overall consistency. As a consequence, waste streams having similar physical, chemical, and radiological characteristics may be regulated by different authorities and managed in disparate ways. In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), the EPA proposed analyzing the feasibility of disposing of certain low-activity radioactive wastes in the RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste) landfills, provided that legal and regulatory issues can be resolved. The NRC,", " in collaboration with the state of Michigan, recently permitted certain very low-activity wastes from decommissioning of the Big Rock Point nuclear power plant to be sent to a RCRA Subtitle D (solid waste) landfill, and other states have also determined that solid waste landfills offer sufficient protection for low-activity waste. In a recent decision, however, the NRC rejected a staff proposal to permanently allow disposal of low-activity waste in solid waste landfills. If found to be acceptable, disposing of low-activity waste at RCRA C and D landfills could alleviate the future capacity constraints at the three operating low-level waste facilities. Radioactive waste classification continues to raises issues for policymakers.", " Radioactive waste generation, storage, transportation, and disposal leave little of the national geography unaffected. The weapons facilities that processed and stored radioactive waste have left a lasting and expensive environmental legacy that the DOE is attempting to remedy by accelerating the cleanup of those contaminated sites. The standards for public exposure to low-level radiation from the repository or cleanup of the weapons facilities have not been reconciled by EPA and NRC. The lower limit on what may be classified as radioactive waste is undefined, and both EPA and NRC jurisdiction overlap on disposal of this waste stream. Glossary Appendix. \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 13, @@ -1023,7 +1035,8 @@ " The estimates indicate that among taxpayers with children, almost all taxpayers will receive the child tax credit. More than 90% of taxpayers with children and income between $40,000 and $500,000 will receive the child tax credit. In contrast, about half (51%) of taxpayers with children and income under $10,000 will receive the child tax credit in 2018, and less than one-fifth (18%) of taxpayers with income between $500,000 and $1 million will receive the credit, as illustrated in Figure 4. Fewer low-income families with children will benefit from the child tax credit since taxpayers with income under $2,", "500 (the refundability threshold) will not be eligible for the refundable portion of the credit. In contrast, due to the phaseout of the credit at higher income levels, virtually no taxpayers with income over $1 million will be eligible to claim it. Average Child Tax Credit Amount TPC estimated the average child tax credit amount by income level for all taxpayers and taxpayers with children in 2018. Their estimates indicate that taxpayers with children and income between $100,000 and $200,000 will receive the largest credit on average\u2014an estimated $3,100. Taxpayers with income under $20,000 will receive on average a credit of less than $1,", "000, while the wealthiest taxpayers with children (income over $1 million) will on average receive a credit of $10. Lower-income taxpayers are eligible to receive a credit of up to $1,400 per child, although they may receive less depending on their earned income. In contrast, higher-income taxpayers, with sufficient income tax liability, will be eligible for up to a $2,000 credit per child. The highest-income taxpayers will be ineligible for the credit due to the phaseout. \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 14, @@ -1139,7 +1152,8 @@ " 4. In commenting on our finding that Treasury did not designate entities publicly identified with the A.Q. Khan network, Treasury stated that its designation decisions involve an interagency process that identifies, assesses, and prioritizes targets. Given the absence of these names, Treasury\u2019s statement suggests that the interagency process did not identify and assess entities of the A.Q. Khan network as priority targets. 5. We agree with Treasury\u2019s comment on the footnote on OFAC\u2019s sanctions programs and have added clarifying language, accordingly. 6. We have modified the language in the draft to reflect Treasury\u2019s comment.", " 7. We have changed this language, accordingly. 8. We believe that the language of our draft accurately reflects the meaning of Treasury\u2019s proposed rewording in a more concise fashion. Thus, we have not modified the language of our report. 9. We have modified language in the report to reflect Treasury\u2019s updated information on enactment of the International Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act. Appendix VI: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments Staff Acknowledgments Muriel J. Forster, Assistant Director; Jeffrey D. Phillips; Leah DeWolf; Jennifer L.", " Young; Lynn Cothern; Mark B. Dowling; Mark C. Speight; and Martin De Alteriis made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 15, @@ -1171,7 +1185,8 @@ " 13 in lieu of S. 888 with an amendment by unanimous consent. Authorization levels for FY2004 contained in the Senate passed bill were reduced from the authorization levels contained in S. 888 as reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (from $250 million to $232 million for Library Services and Technology; and from $41.5 to $38.6 million for Museum Services). The Senate-passed bill included the following provisions that were contained in S. 888 as reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, but were not contained in H.R.", " 13 as passed by the House: provisions that would have made the Chairman of the National Commission on Library and Information Science a member (nonvoting) of the National Museum and Library Services Board; a prohibition against using IMLS funds for construction; and provisions that would have raised liability amounts in the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act. S. 238 (Reed) was introduced on January 29, 2003, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The Library Services and Technology provisions of this bill were essentially the same as those in S. 2611 (Reed), introduced in the 107 th Congress.", " Authorization levels in S. 238 were $350 million for Library Services and Technology and $65 million for Museum Services. S. 238, however, unlike S. 2611, also included amendments raising liability amounts in the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 16, @@ -1237,7 +1252,8 @@ " Hurricane Andrew destroyed most of the base. After the base was rebuilt and management transferred to the Air Force Reserve, operations were reinstated with major activities being the 482nd Fighter Wing and the NORAD Air Defense Alert activity. Appendix II: Reserve Enclaves Created under Previous BRAC Rounds Bases With Enclaves Fort Douglas, Utah Fort Sheridan, Ill. Hamilton Army Airfield, Calif. Mather Air Force Base, Calif. Pease Air Force Base, N.H. Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. Fort Devens, Mass. Grissom Air Force Base,", " Ind. Sacramento Army Depot, Calif. Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Homestead Air Force Base, Fla. March Air Force Base, Calif. Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio Camp Kilmer, N.J. Camp Pedricktown, N.J. Fitzsimmons Medical Center, Colo. Fort Chaffee, Ark. Fort Dix, N.J. Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Fort McClellan, Ala. Fort Missoula, Mont.", " Fort Pickett, Va. Fort Ritchie, Md. Fort Totten, N.Y. Oakland Army Base, Calif. Appendix III: Comments from the Department of Defense Appendix IV: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Julie Chamberlain, Shawn Flowers, Richard Meeks, Maria-Alaina Rambus, James Reifsnyder, Donna Weiss, and Susan Woodward made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 17, @@ -1319,7 +1335,8 @@ " materials and equipment procurement, renovation, alteration, repair, and other building and expansion costs of the institute. The institute received approximately $9 million in each of FY2014 and FY2015. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) The Office of Challenge Grants (National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act; 20 U.S.C \u00a7951) strengthens humanities education by supporting long-term institutional development. Funds may be used to purchase equipment, upgrade technology, renovate or construct facilities, add library or museum collections, provide staffing, provide educational programming, and increase or establish endowments. Nonprofit organizations such as museums, tribal centers,", " libraries, colleges and universities, scholarly research organizations, state humanities councils, public radio and television stations, and historical societies and historic sites are eligible to receive grants. The program received $8 million in FY2014 and $9 million in FY2015. Selected Acronyms Used in This Report ARRA: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( P.L. 111-5 ) BIE: Bureau of Indian Education ED: U.S. Department of Education ESEA: Elementary and Secondary Education Act FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Administration HBCU: Historically Black Colleges and Universities HEA: Higher Education Act IHE:", " Institution of Higher Education K-12: Kindergarten through grade 12 LEA: Local Educational Agency P.L.: Public Law QECB: Qualified Energy Conservation Bond QSCB: Qualified School Construction Bond QZAB: Qualified Zone Academy Bond U.S.C.: United States Code\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 18, @@ -1426,7 +1443,8 @@ " In addition, Congress may consider whether to advocate for creating international \"rules for the road\" for development finance. Such rules could help ensure that the proposed DFI operates on a \"level playing field\" relative to its counterparts, given the variation in terms, conditions, and practices of DFIs internationally. U.S. involvement in developing such rules could help advance U.S. strategic interests. However, such rules would only be effective to the extent that major suppliers of development finance are willing to abide by them. For example, China is not a party to international rules on export credit financing, though it has been involved in recent negotiations to develop new rules on such financing.", " Outlook While Congress has demonstrated bipartisan, bicameral support for moving forward with development finance reorganization, the current proposals present Congress with a number of issues in terms of structuring the proposed new DFI and the implications of reorganization. Development finance is a cross-cutting issue implicating U.S. interests in terms of foreign policy, national security, economic interests, and international investment. Combining public support with private sector capital, development finance also intersects with a range of stakeholder interests and any reorganization may raise questions about how to balance various policy goals. Thus, consideration of the BUILD Act or any other legislation introduced to reorganize federal development finance functions may be an active area of debate for Congress.", " Appendix. Comparison: OPIC and Foreign DFIs \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 19, @@ -1528,7 +1546,8 @@ " Koreans particularly have objected to the fingerprinting, which some Koreans have likened to requirements imposed upon them during Japan's thirty-five-year occupation of the Korean Peninsula in the first half of the 20 th Century. South Korea also has encouraged the United States to open its domestic market to services delivered by so-called mode-4 delivery, that is by the temporary movement of South Korean service providers and their workers to the United States. Legislation in the 109th and 110th Congresses 109th Congress S. 3830 (Stabenow). The South Korean Fair Trade Act. Declared that the duty in effect on July 31,", " 2006, on cars and motor vehicles imported from South Korea shall remain in effect until 15 days after the date the Secretary of Commerce certifies to Congress that at least 20% of the total number of cars and motor vehicles sold in South Korea each year are made in a country other than South Korea. Introduced August 3, 2006; referred to Senate Finance Committee. S. 377 (Lieberman). The Fair Currency Enforcement Act of 2005. Required the U.S. government to monitor and take action against specific countries, including South Korea, that are \"engaged most egregiously in currency manipulation.\" Introduced February 15,", " 2005; referred to Senate Finance Committee. H.R. 4304 (Moran). Designated the Republic of Korea as a program country under the visa waiver program. Introduced November 10, 2005; referred to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims. 110th Congress No bills have been introduced in the 110 th Congress.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 20, @@ -1594,7 +1613,8 @@ " This idea was proposed by the George W. Bush Administration in several years. For instance, in 2004 the Bush Administration had sought to dedicate 20% of the funds in the FLTFA fund to conservation projects on federal lands, to include habitat restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement. Another issue regarding the allocation of proceeds is whether to retain the requirement that most of the funds for land acquisition be used in the state where the funds were generated. GAO concluded in 2008 that this requirement has made it difficult to acquire priority lands in states that sell relatively little land. As mentioned above, 76% of the revenues raised through FY2010\u2014$", "88.1 million\u2014came from land sales in Nevada. However, retention of funds within a state could foster stability of landownership in those states. Still another focus is on whether to reinstate the estimated $52 million in proceeds that were in the FLTFA fund when the law initially expired and the $2 million in proceeds that were in the fund at the end of the one-year extension. BLM had intended to use a sizeable portion of the monies to sell lands under the law, and the agencies would resume the acquisition of priority inholdings and edgeholdings with these funds. The $54 million in total funds was to become available for appropriation under the LWCF when FLTFA expired.", " It is uncertain whether these funds will be appropriated, whether in addition to or in lieu of traditional LWCF appropriations. Under current law, the LWCF accumulates $900.0 million in revenues, primarily from offshore oil and gas development. Historically, Congress has appropriated this level of funding only twice, and on average typically appropriates less than half of the annual revenues. Another option could be to redirect these revenues to another specific government program or activity or to the general fund of the Treasury. \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 21, @@ -1643,7 +1663,8 @@ " DOD also said that planning and exercises should include local, state, and federal representatives and should stress the responders with the highest degree of realism possible\u2014to the breaking point if possible. Direct the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to work with the state governors and adjutants general to develop and maintain a list of the types of capabilities the National Guard will likely provide in response to domestic natural disasters under state-to-state mutual assistance agreements along with the associated units that could provide these capabilities, and make this information available to the U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Joint Forces Command, and other organizations with federal military support to civil authority planning responsibilities.", " DOD listed steps the U.S. Northern Command is taking to better understand the capabilities of National Guard units, and it stated that the National Guard is creating a database to facilitate planning its employment in support of the homeland. Establish milestones and identify the types of scalable federal military capabilities and the units that could provide those capabilities in response to the full range of domestic disasters and catastrophes covered by DOD\u2019s defense support to civil authorities plans. DOD noted that it has developed scalable capability packages in conjunction with pre-scripted requests for assistance and U.S. Northern Command\u2019s Contingency Plan 2501,", " which is scheduled to be signed in the spring of 2006. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 22, @@ -1688,7 +1709,8 @@ " and then, after a rest period of as little as one night and two daytime periods, work 14 hours a day for another five consecutive days. FMCSA asserted that this schedule allowed a driver to work up to 82 hours over a seven-day period, which it judged to not allow sufficient rest over time to prevent driver fatigue. By requiring that the 34-hour restart period cover two 1 a.m.-5 a.m. periods, the 2012 rule was intended to allow drivers to get more sleep during the night hours, when studies indicate that sleep is most restorative (compared to sleeping during other times of the day). A provision included in the FY2016 THUD appropriations act prohibited enforcement of the new requirements,", " returning the rule to what it was prior to June 2013, unless a study required by Section 133 of Division K of P.L. 113-235 (the FY2015 THUD act) finds that commercial drivers operating under the new restart provisions showed \"statistically significant improvement in all outcomes related to safety, operator fatigue, driver health and longevity, and work schedules.\" This is slightly different than the original standard set in the FY2015 DOT appropriations act, P.L. 113-235, which set as the standard whether the study showed a \"greater net benefit for the operational, safety, health and fatigue impacts of the restart provisions.\" The Senate bill would have made a technical correction to the provision in the FY2016 THUD bill.", " It also would have provided that, should the results of the study be such that the rule changes implemented in 2013 are rolled back, the maximum work time for a driver would be 73 hours in a seven-day period (down from the potential 82 hours calculated by FMCSA). FMCSA published a cost-benefit analysis in the final rule that implemented the 2013 changes, which found that the changes were cost-beneficial, but critics of the changes said that the costs were greater than FMCSA had estimated. FMCSA submitted the new study to Congress at the beginning of March 2017; it found that the 2013 rule changes did not result in significant safety benefits.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 23, @@ -1788,7 +1810,8 @@ " Table 6 summarizes this information for 17 EM projects for which we could determine performance. Table 7 summarizes this information for 6 projects for which EM did not establish performance targets. Table 8 summarizes this information for 4 EM projects with incomplete documentation of their performance targets, which meant that we could not determine performance. Table 9 summarizes this information for 3 projects for which EM modified the scope after establishing performance targets for these projects, rendering the original performance targets unusable for purposes of assessing performance. Appendix III: Summary of National Nuclear Security Administration Nonmajor Projects Reviewed We obtained and reviewed performance information on 41 NNSA nonmajor projects that were either completed or ongoing from fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2012.", " Table 10 summarizes this information for 27 NNSA projects for which we could determine performance. Table 11 summarizes this information for 2 projects for which NNSA did not establish performance targets. Table 12 summarizes this information for 7 NNSA projects with incomplete documentation of their performance targets or final cost, which meant that we could not determine performance. Table 13 summarizes this information for 5 projects for which NNSA modified the scope after establishing performance targets for these projects, rendering the original performance targets unusable for purposes of assessing performance. Appendix IV: Comments from the Department of Energy Appendix V:", " GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Dan Feehan, Assistant Director; Sandra Davis; Robert Grace; and Jason Holliday made key contributions to this report. Also contributing to this report were John Bauckman; Jennifer Echard; Cindy Gilbert; Steven Lozano; Minette Richardson; Cheryl Peterson; and Carol Hernnstadt Shulman.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 24, @@ -1819,7 +1842,8 @@ " For example, both Massachusetts and Maine currently are implementing a variety of initiatives with an eye to achieving universal coverage. These initiatives include insurance market reforms, requirements on employers and consumers, public subsidies for private insurance, and the expansion of public coverage under Medicaid. In California, policy makers continue to debate the merits of different approaches for achieving universal health coverage. These approaches include requiring individuals to have coverage, requiring employers to make contributions for health benefits, and adopting a statewide single-payer system. Conclusion Both government and the market have important roles in helping ensure the availability, affordability, and adequacy of private health insurance. The market excels in creating new products and adapting to changing demand,", " but is not set up to guarantee that everyone gets coverage. Government complements the market through tax and regulatory policies aimed at improving access to coverage and the adequacy of benefits. Ideally, these policies would reflect widely held social values, but setting priorities is difficult. Should the priority be affordability, and if so, for whom? For consumers and employers purchasing insurance? For taxpayers who subsidize coverage? Or should the priority be facilitating access to benefits? Again, for whom? For workers; for people with lower income; for people who are older, sick, or disabled; or for everyone? Policymakers face a challenge in improving access to health insurance,", " while making efficient use of limited public resources and avoiding unnecessary regulations that might hinder market innovation.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 25, @@ -2061,7 +2085,8 @@ "814, Budget Reconciliation Legislation: Development and Consideration, by [author name scrubbed] CRS Report RL30458, The Budget Reconciliation Process: Timing of LegislativeAction, by [author name scrubbed]. CRS Report RL30862, The Budget Reconciliation Process: The Senate's \"ByrdRule,\" by [author name scrubbed]. CRS Report RL30714, Congressional Action on Revenue and Debt ReconciliationMeasures in 2000, by [author name scrubbed]. CRS Report RL31902(pdf), Revenue Reconciliation Directives in the FY2004 BudgetResolution, by [author name scrubbed]. CRS Report RS20870,", " Revenue Reconciliation Directives to the Senate FinanceCommittee in Congressional Budget Resolutions, by [author name scrubbed]. CRS Report RS21993, Spending Reconciliation Directives to the Senate FinanceCommittee in Congressional Budget Resolutions, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed] CRS Report RS22098, Deficit Impact of Reconciliation Legislation Enacted in 1990,1993, and 1997, by [author name scrubbed]. CRS Report RS22160(pdf), Reconciliation and the Deficit in FY2006 and ThroughFY2010: Fact Sheet, by Philip D. Winters.", " CRS Congressional Distribution Memorandum, January 14, 2005, ReconciliationDirectives to House Committees in Budget Resolutions for FY1976-FY2005, by BillHeniff Jr. CRS Congressional Distribution Memorandum, Reconciliation Directives to SenateCommittees in Budget Resolutions for FY1976-FY2005, January 14, 2005, by BillHeniff Jr.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 26, @@ -2090,7 +2115,8 @@ " and \"internal security within the corrections facilities,\" taking intoaccount available alternative means ofcommunication. Id. at 824, 822, 823. Furthermore, the Court wrote, although the First Amendmentbars the \"government from interfering in any way with a freepress,\" it does not \"require government to accord the press special access to information not shared by members ofthe public generally.\" Id. at 834, 833. If Congress enacted a statute prohibiting the release of ballot counts, and it were challenged as unconstitutional, the court presumably would apply the sort ofbalancing test it used in Pell v. Procunier to reach a decision.", " It would assess the importance of denyingmedia access to ballot counts, perhaps consideringwhether media projections, or learning the results in other states, tend to mislead potential voters, or whetherpotential voters are merely making free choices aboutthe importance of their vote in light of status of the election at the time they hear a media projection or the resultin another state. A court might also evaluate the efficacy of prohibiting the release of ballot counts, considering, for example, whether, if denied access to ballot counts, the mediamight nevertheless make projections based merely on exit polls, which might be more misleading than those basedon ballot counts. Finally, a court mightconsider whether Congress could accomplish its goal by alternative means that would restrict speech less.", " Anexample might be to require that projections beaccompanied by disclosure of the information on which the projection is based. IV. Concluding Note Whether or not there is a First Amendment barrier to banning exit polling within a prescribed distance from the polls, or to prohibiting the release of ballot counts,there is still the question of Congress's power to regulate in this area. Congress has clear power to regulate Houseand Senate elections, but less clear power toregulate presidential elections, aspects of which the Constitution vests in the states. For additional information onthis subject, see CRS Report RL30747, Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures, by [author name scrubbed].\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 27, @@ -2127,7 +2153,8 @@ " international organizations, and industry in efforts to promote strengthened cybersecurity on a global basis. Coordinating and integrating applicable national preparedness goals with its National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Appendix II: Key Attributes of Cyber Analysis and Warning Capabilities Attribute Establish a baseline understanding of network assets and normal network traffic volume and flow Assess risks to network assets Obtain internal information on network operations via technical tools and user reports Obtain external information on threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents through various relationships, alerts, and other sources Detect anomalous activities Verify that an anomaly is an incident (threat of attack or actual attack) Investigate the incident to identify the type of cyber attack,", " estimate impact, and collect evidence Identify possible actions to mitigate the impact of the incident Integrate results into predictive analysis of broader implications or potential future attack Develop attack and other notifications that are targeted and actionable Provide notifications in a timely manner Distribute notifications using appropriate communications methods Contain and mitigate the incident Recover from damages and remediate vulnerabilities Evaluate actions and incorporate lessons learned This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. The published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO.", " However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 28, @@ -2353,7 +2380,8 @@ "07-574T. Washington, D.C.: April 12, 2007. Small Business Administration: Additional Steps Needed to Enhance Agency Preparedness for Future Disasters. GAO-07-114. Washington, D.C.: February 14, 2007. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Unprecedented Challenges Exposed the Individuals and Households Program to Fraud and Abuse; Actions Needed to Reduce Such Problems in Future. GAO-06-1013. Washington, D.C.: September 27, 2006. Catastrophic Disasters: Enhanced Leadership, Capabilities, and Accountability Controls Will Improve the Effectiveness of the Nation\u2019s Preparedness,", " Response, and Recovery System. GAO-06-618. Washington, D.C.: September 6, 2006. Disaster Relief: Governmentwide Framework Needed to Collect and Consolidate Information to Report on Billions in Federal Funding for the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes. GAO-06-834. Washington, D.C.: September 6, 2006. Small Business Administration: Actions Needed to Provide More Timely Disaster Assistance. GAO-06-860. Washington, D.C.: July 28, 2006. Federal Disaster Assistance: What Should the Policy Be? PAD-80-", "39. Washington, D.C.: June 16, 1980.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 29, @@ -2541,7 +2569,8 @@ " thus creating competition. NNTRC officials told us that competition is the best method to lower prices and improve services. Currently, NNTRC works with wireless companies to encourage them to extend their service throughout the Navajo Nation. Officials from wireless companies serving and seeking to serve the Navajo Nation told us that access to universal service program funds combined with their use of less costly wireless technologies provides a viable business case for their entry onto Navajo lands. Tribal officials told us that the NNTRC drafted a rights-of-way policy that includes new procedures to make the tribe\u2019s process for approving rights- of-way more efficient and timely for service providers.", " According to a Navajo official, this policy is currently being reviewed for approval by several of their tribal government departments. Following this approval process, NNTRC intends to implement this policy. Comments from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Comments from the Institute of Museum and Library Services GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above, Carol Anderson-Guthrie and John Finedore, Assistant Directors; Edda Emmanuelli-Perez, Michele Fejfar, Logan Kleier, Michael Mgebroff, John Mingus,", " Mindi Weisenbloom, Alwynne Wilbur, Carrie Wilks, and Nancy Zearfoss made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 30, @@ -2599,7 +2628,8 @@ " Observations on the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic Preparedness Program. GAO/T-NSIAD-99-16. Washington, D.C.: October 2, 1998. Combating Terrorism: Observations on Crosscutting Issues. GAO/T- NSIAD-98-164. Washington, D.C.: April 23, 1998. Combating Terrorism: Threat and Risk Assessments Can Help Prioritize and Target Program Investments. GAO/NSIAD-98-74. Washington, D.C.: April 9, 1998. Combating Terrorism: Spending on Governmentwide Programs Requires Better Management and Coordination.", " GAO/NSIAD-98-39. Washington, D.C.: December 1, 1997. Disaster Assistance Disaster Assistance: Improvement Needed in Disaster Declaration Criteria and Eligibility Assurance Procedures. GAO-01-837. Washington, D.C.: August 31, 2001. Chemical Weapons: FEMA and Army Must Be Proactive in Preparing States for Emergencies. GAO-01-850. Washington, D.C.: August 13, 2001. Federal Emergency Management Agency: Status of Achieving Key Outcomes and Addressing Major Management Challenges. GAO-01-", "832. Washington, D.C.: July 9, 2001. Budget and Management Budget Issues: Long-Term Fiscal Challenges. GAO-02-467T. Washington, D.C.: February 27, 2002. Results-Oriented Budget Practices in Federal Agencies. GAO-01-1084SP. Washington, D.C.: August 2001. Managing for Results: Federal Managers\u2019 Views on Key Management Issues Vary Widely Across Agencies. GAO-01-592. Washington, D.C.: May 25, 2001.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 31, @@ -2665,7 +2695,8 @@ " We have not independently examined the total time to approval for all IDEs. Major Contributors to This Report Program Evaulation and Methodology Division Robert E. White, Assistant Director Bertha Dong, Project Manager Venkareddy Chennareddy, Referencer Elizabeth Scullin, Communications Analyst The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O.", " Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301) 258-4066, or TDD (301) 413-0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202)", " 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 32, @@ -2730,7 +2761,8 @@ " and those present for more than 1 year are barred for 10 years (the \"3- and 10-year bars\"). Deferred Action For unauthorized aliens who cannot obtain LPR status, existing mechanisms enable some to remain in the United States. One such mechanism, deferred action, is defined by DHS as \"a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion.\" Deferred action is not an immigration status and does not have a statutory authority; it is a form of administrative discretion. Examples of deferred action may include DHS terminating removal proceedings, declining to initiate removal proceedings, or declining to execute a final order of removal.", " Approval of deferred action means that no action will be taken against a removable\u00a0alien for a specified time or in some cases indefinitely. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative begun by DHS in June 2012, certain individuals without a lawful immigration status who were brought to the United States as children and who meet other criteria may be granted deferred action for two years, subject to renewal. DACA recipients can apply for employment authorization but are not afforded a pathway to a legal immigration status. DACA was initiated not by congressional legislation but by the Obama Administration. The Trump Administration announced the planned rescission of the DACA initiative on September 5,", " 2017, but due to federal court orders enjoining the rescission, DACA remains in effect pending the outcome of further litigation.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 33, @@ -2813,7 +2845,8 @@ " However, for the sake of clarity, we have modified the title of our report. 2. While Treasury is able to access and share information on licenses for medical and agricultural exports to Iran to some degree, it cannot do so in a timely and complete manner. For example, Treasury required more than 2 months to provide us with requested data on medical and agricultural export licenses. It required more than 4 months to provide us with 34 licenses for the export of other types of goods issued over the preceding 18 months. These licenses included a license for the export of aircraft equipment with potential military applications.", " 3. ACE is a trade processing system that has been in development by CPB since 2001. Intended to automate border processing, ACE is being deployed in phases. As Treasury notes in its comments, ACE is not ready to accept export data that would be of use to enforcement agencies. 4. As noted above, we have modified the title of our report for the sake of clarity. Appendix IV: Comments from the Department of Commerce The following is GAO\u2019s comment on the Department of Commerce\u2019s letter dated February 24, 2010. GAO Comment The Bureau of Industry and Security\u2019s comments on pages 39 and 40 are not directed at our draft report,", " but are instead directed at the preceding comments, which were submitted by the Bureau of the Census. The Bureau of Industry and Security and the Bureau of the Census are separate bureaus within the Department of Commerce. Appendix V: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above, Tet Miyabara (Assistant Director), Patrick Breiding, Joseph Clifton, Lynn Cothern, Etana Finkler, Grace Lui, Lauren Membreno, and Pierre Toureille made key contributions to this report. Martin De Alteriis and Justin Fisher provided technical assistance.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 34, @@ -3020,7 +3053,8 @@ " However, this data-gathering exercise, which contributes to the USAID trade capacity building database, does not provide information needed by the Training Coordination Group, such as dates of training or contact information, that would improve coordination. GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contacts Acknowledgments In addition to those named above, Sharla Draemel, Ming Chen, Martin de Alteriis, Matt Helm, Ernie Jackson, Victoria Lin, and Reid Lowe made key contributions to this report. GAO\u2019s Mission The Government Accountability Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people.", " GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov). Each weekday, GAO posts newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence on its Web site. To have GAO e-mail you a list of newly posted products every afternoon,", " go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to Updates.\u201d Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Congressional Relations Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 35, @@ -3216,7 +3250,8 @@ " Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or the states. 12. Provide electronic copy of health information within 3 business capacity to provide electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and follow-up submission if the test is successful. days to more than 50 percent of all patients who requested that information. 13. Provide clinical summaries to patients within 3 business days for more than 50 percent of all office visits. 14. Perform at least one test of certified EHR technology\u2019s capacity to electronically exchange key clinical information (i.e., problem list, medication list,", " medication allergies, or diagnostic test results). 15. Protect electronic health information created or maintained by the certified EHR technology by conducting or reviewing a security risk analysis, implementing security updates as necessary, and correcting identified security deficiencies. uirement is electronic prescribing-related. uality measures help uantify health care processes, outcomes, patient perceptions, and organizational structure. To meet this reporting reuirement, providers must report on 6 out of 44 clinical uality measures identified by CMS. The reuirement is public health\u2013related. Appendix VI: Comments from the Department of Health and Human Services Appendix VII:", " GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact name above, Robert Copeland, Assistant Director; Nick Bartine; George Bogart; Julianne Flowers; Krister Friday; Toni Harrison; Daniel Lee; Shannon Legeer; and Sarah Marshall made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 36, @@ -3297,7 +3332,8 @@ " has previously suggested amendments that would (1) exempt federal IGs from the PRA definition of \"agency,\" and (2) add a new section which, when read with the rest of the statute, would state: \"Except as provided in paragraph (2), this chapter shall not apply to the collection of information... (B) during the conduct of... (iii) audits, inspections, evaluations, investigations or other reviews conducted by federal inspectors general.\" S. 976 would provide such an exemption for statutory IGs, special IGs, the Council of IGs on Integrity and Efficiency, and the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which is comprised of IGs and a presidential designee or appointee.", " A third approach would be for Congress to create an exemption from the PRA for collections of information undertaken specifically with regard to TARP funds in 44 U.S.C. \u00a7 3518(c)(2), which states that the PRA applies to \"the collection of information during the conduct of general investigations... undertaken with reference to a category of individuals or entities such as a class of licensees or an entire industry.\" Such a legislative fix could state that the provision would not apply to collections of information undertaken by the SIGTARP. A fourth approach would be for SIGTARP to use its subpoena powers to compel the production of such information by TARP fund recipients.", " As mentioned above, EESA \u00a7 121(d) gives the SIGTARP the \"authorities provided in section 6\" of the IG Act, which encompass subpoena powers. \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 37, @@ -3487,7 +3523,8 @@ " but continues to differ with SADC on the issue of lifting sanctions against Mugabe and senior ZANU-PF officials. Prospects for the Future Despite hopes that the transitional government would bring change to Zimbabwe, life for many of the country's people remains a daily struggle. The rate of unemployment and the cost of living remain high, and salaries for those with jobs are far below regional standards. The controversial issues of property rights and land reform have yet to be seriously addressed by the government. Prospects for Zimbabwe's youngest generation remain poor.. Many teachers have returned to work since 2008, but salaries remain low and enticing the thousands who have left the country to return will be a major challenge.", " Many families still struggle to afford basic food items, not to mention medicines or doctors. Analysts have cited a number of reasons for Zimbabwe's economic problems in the past decade, including recurrent drought, difficulties encountered in implementing economic reforms, and industrial competition from comparatively cheap South African imports. At the same time, analysts place considerable responsibility for Zimbabwe's problems on the policies adopted and actions taken by the government since 1997. Zimbabwe is at a critical juncture. Prior to the power sharing agreement, the government took some fiscal measures to reverse the economic downturn, but hyperinflation continued, and the measures were largely ineffective. The MDC controls the Ministry of Finance under the transitional government,", " but Zimbabwe is in debt distress and it remains unclear how effective the MDC's economic policies will be without major donor financing for its recovery plans, estimated to require up to $8 billion. Many donor governments and institutions have been reluctant to release significant funds until they can determine whether the transitional government's establishment will result in changes to the policies that brought about sanctions in the first place. The MDC and ZANU-PF, long-standing political foes, must now demonstrate their willingness to work together to put the country's economy on the path toward recovery.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 38, @@ -3537,7 +3574,8 @@ " Bush granted DED to about 80,000 Chinesefollowing the June 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, and the Chinese retained DED throughJanuary 1994. The George H.W. Bush Administration also granted DED to what was then anestimated 190,000 Salvadorans through December 1994. On December 23, 1997, President WilliamClinton instructed the Attorney General to grant DED to the Haitians for one year. (40) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, INS issued a press release announcingthat family members of victims of the terrorist attacks whose own immigration status was dependenton the victim's immigration status should not be concerned about facing immediate removal fromthe United States.", " The then-Commissioner James Ziglar stated: \"The INS will exercise its discretionin a compassionate way toward families of victims during this time of mourning and readjustment. On September 19, we began to advise our offices to exercise compassionate discretion in thesecircumstances.\" (41) Some, including a group of Democratic Senators, have requested that DHS Secretary MichaelChertoff issue a formal statement reassuring immigrant victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina thatthey can seek help from relief agencies without fear of deportation or being turned over toimmigration authorities. (42) Meanwhile, it appears that some foreign nationals who were adversely affected by HurricaneKatrina are beginning to depart the United States voluntarily.", " Mexican consular officials in theUnited States, for example, are reportedly helping to repatriate Mexicans when the person who hasbeen displaced by the hurricane requests it. (43) Initially it was unclear whether ICE would initiate forciblerepatriations targeting unauthorized aliens who were victims of Hurricane Katrina. (44) More recently there havebeen reports, however, of unauthorized aliens who were victims of Hurricane Katrina being arrested,detained, and ordered deported. (45) \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 39, @@ -3750,7 +3788,8 @@ " While theUnited States and its associates were lobbying the membership to consider the change, China andother countries which employ that practice would presumably be lobbying the membership to votethe other way. The result would likely depend on the strength of the arguments brought forth insupport of the initiative and the number of countries that believe that currency manipulation for thepurpose of gaining unfair trade advantage is injuring their interests or is otherwise undesirable. It may not be possible to achieve the three-quarters positive vote needed to reinterpret theWTO agreement or to adopt amendments which are mandatory for all member countries. Nonetheless, discussion of this issue within the WTO may have salutary effects.", " It would requirethe countries which favor use of this trade practice to defend their policies and to explain why theybelieve currency manipulation is an appropriate tool of trade policy. The countries which might beamenable to changes in the WTO rules might also be identified. This information may be usefulif the United States decides to seek a negotiated arrangement during a later phase of the Doha tradenegotiations or in some future round of talks. A strategy of taking the Chinese currency issue to the WTO is not likely to lead to a promptresolution of the controversy. It seems doubtful that adequate grounds can be found, given thecurrent language of the WTO agreement and the accompanying multilateral trade agreements,", " tosuccessfully address the question in the WTO dispute settlement process. Addressing the questionin the WTO policy process may offer opportunities for building support for changing the rules andguidelines used by organization, however. Discussion in the General Council and MinisterialConference would offer the United States an opportunity to discuss why, as a general principle,currency manipulation should not be a legitimate tool of national trade policy. It need not bediscussed, in this context, as an issue affecting only China. Obtaining the three-quarters vote tochange the language or prevailing interpretation of the WTO agreements would be difficult. Discussion in this context may help identify potential supporters and lay the groundwork for possiblyincluding currency manipulation as an additional agenda item in future trade negotiations.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 40, @@ -3809,7 +3848,8 @@ " This daily adjustment is an interest expense for the Bureau of the Public Debt. Accrued interest on Federal Debt Held by the Public includes inflation adjustments of $10,276 million and $14,512 million for fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively. Accrued interest on Intragovernmental Debt Holdings includes inflation adjustments of $378 million and $607 million for fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively. Notes to the Schedules of Federal Debt Managed by the Bureau of the Public Debt For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Dollars in Millions)", " Note 5. Fund Balance With Treasury The Fund Balance with Treasury, a non-entity, intragovernmental account, is not included on the Schedules of Federal Debt and is presented for informational purposes. Comments from the Bureau of the Public Debt GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Dawn B. Simpson, Assistant Director; Dean D. Carpenter; Emily M. Clancy; Dennis L. Clarke; Chau L. Dinh; Lisa M. Galvan-Trevi\u00f1o; Vivian M. Gutierrez; Erik S. Huff;", " Bret R. Kressin; Nicole M. McGuire; and Jay R. McTigue made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 41, @@ -4037,7 +4077,8 @@ " 744 that would exclude short-term visitors for business or pleasure (B visas) and foreign students (F visas) from being considered lawfully residing for the purposes of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) option for states to cover pregnant women and children. S. 744 would further specify that all other U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) programs that use the term \"lawfully present\" should reflect these restrictions that S. 744 would impose. In other words, the S. 744 as passed by the Senate directs the Secretary of HHS to amend the definition for eligibility under the ACA to exclude short-term visitors and foreign students.", " Congressional Budget Office Analysis of S. 744 The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the changes to immigration resulting from S. 744 as passed by the Senate would result in a net increase of 9.6 million LPRs in the first decade after enactment. Although CBO has observed the long-standing convention of not incorporating macroeconomic effects in cost estimates, CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation \"relaxed that assumption by incorporating in this cost estimate their projections of the direct effects of the act on the U.S. population, employment, and taxable compensation.\" The increase in the number of legal residents would boost federal revenues,", " according to CBO, mostly because of the larger size of the labor force. CBO further estimates that the number of legal residents would boost direct spending for federal benefit programs and notes that under S. 744 direct spending for enforcement and other purposes would also increase. As a consequence, CBO estimates that enacting S. 744 as passed by the Senate would \"lead to a net savings of about $135 billion over the 2014-2023 period.\"\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 42, @@ -4133,7 +4174,8 @@ " and looking to international examples mirrors many of the arguments being made on behalf of postal financial services today. Select Postal Banking Legislation In the 113 th Congress, Representative Cummings introduced H.R. 2690, Innovate to Deliver Act of 2013, which if enacted, would have expanded USPS's authority to offer nonpostal products and services, including \"check-cashing services.\" As discussed in the 2015 USPS OIG report, a more comprehensive approach is for the Postal Service to become a chartered and licensed bank. As a bank, the USPS would have authority to provide a range of financial services, such as savings accounts,", " personal loans, check cashing services, and insurance products. In the 114 th Congress, Representative Richmond introduced H.R. 4422 which, if enacted, would provide the Postal Service with authority to \"provide basic financial services\" including small-dollar loans, checking and savings accounts, and other services in the public interest. Under the bill, the USPS would have authority to provide some of these services \"alone, or in partnership with depository institutions.\" The bill, however, stopped short of establishing a new postal banking system with a chartered and licensed USPS bank. While the specific proposals in the USPS OIG white paper, in articles,", " and in legislation differ in the financial products they cover, each of the proposals appears to share certain characteristics and goals. Each leverages the nationwide service network and accessibility of the USPS. Further, each seeks to achieve one or both of two goals: reach populations that are underserved by current financial institutions or provide additional revenue opportunities to the USPS. Appendix A. USPS Revenue and Volume by Mail Category and Class Appendix B. Postal Reform Legislation Introduced in the 113 th and 114 th Congresses\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 43, @@ -4353,7 +4395,8 @@ " We interviewed officials in the eight USCIS asylum offices as well as Asylum Division officials to determine how USCIS handles cases with identified fraud, including cases in which fraud is identified after asylum has been granted, and how USCIS tracks, monitors, and adjudicates cases in which an individual\u2019s asylum status is pending termination for identified fraud. We compared USCIS and EOIR mechanisms to address identified asylum fraud and the frequency of their use with mechanisms in GAO\u2019s Fraud Framework to assess their likely effectiveness as a fraud deterrent. We conducted this performance audit from September 2014 to November 2015 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.", " Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. Appendix II: Fraud Risk Assessment Process GAO\u2019s A Framework for Managing Fraud Risks in Federal Programs notes that managers who effectively assess fraud risks attempt to fully consider the specific fraud risks the agency or program faces, analyze the potential likelihood and impact of fraud schemes, and then ultimately document prioritized fraud risks. Moreover, managers can use the fraud risk assessment process to determine the extent to which controls may no longer be relevant or cost-effective.", " There is no universally accepted approach for conducting fraud risk assessments, since circumstances vary among programs; however, assessing fraud risks generally involves five actions, as noted in figure 8. Appendix III: Comments from the Department of Homeland Security Appendix IV: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above, Kathryn Bernet, Assistant Director; Ashley Vaughan Davis; David Alexander; Dominick Dale, Imoni Hampton; Grant Mallie; Mara McMillen; Linda Miller; Jan Montgomery; Jon Najmi; and Mary Pitts made significant contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 44, @@ -4539,7 +4582,8 @@ " This is attributed to (1) drugs being available without a prescription that are just as effective as the ones in the formulary, (2) the perception of increased liability, and (3) burdensome recordkeeping requirements. Conclusions Other countries\u2019 and Florida\u2019s experiences do not support a fundamental change in the drug distribution system of the United States such as creating an intermediate class of drugs, whether fixed or transition, at this time. Its benefits are unclear. No evidence at this time shows the overall superiority of a drug distribution system that restricts the sale of at least some nonprescription drugs to pharmacies. However, it should also be clear that there is no evidence that systems that do this are necessarily inferior to drug distribution systems that allow some or all nonprescription drugs to be sold outside pharmacies.", " The evidence that does exist tends to undermine the contention that major benefits are being obtained in countries with a pharmacist or pharmacy class. Such a class is not being used to facilitate the movement of drugs to sale outside pharmacies. Also, pharmacist counseling as it is currently practiced does not support the goals of either a fixed or a transition class. Pharmacists are not regularly counseling patients, maintaining patient profiles, or monitoring for adverse drug effects. Thus, there is no evidence to show that the role that U.S. pharmacists would have to play to support the appropriate use of an intermediate class of drugs (either fixed or transition) would be fulfilled reliably and effectively.", " The evidence indicates that at this time major improvements in nonprescription drug use are unlikely to result from restricting the sale of some OTCs to pharmacies or by pharmacists, nor are the safeguards for pharmacy- or pharmacist-class drugs that would have otherwise remained in the prescription class likely to be sufficient.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 45, @@ -4723,7 +4767,8 @@ " and conservation/environmental protection. In our interviews, we asked stakeholders for their familiarity with agency efforts to protect bee health as well as for their views on suggestions for any efforts the agencies should make to further protect bee health. The information in table 1 provides a summary of stakeholders\u2019 views on commonly-cited topics and indicates the types of stakeholder groups that expressed those views. Appendix III: Bee Health Stakeholders We Interviewed Name of stakeholder Laurie Davies Adams The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. Assistant Extension/Research Professor of Entomology Commercial Director of Beeologics Monsanto Company Project Apis m.", " Name of stakeholder Dudley Hoskins Assistant Professor of Entomology University of Maryland Board Member and Past President Western Alfalfa Seed Growers Project Apis m. Appendix IV: Comments from the Department of Agriculture Appendix V: Comments from the Environmental Protection Agency Appendix VI: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Anne K. Johnson, (Assistant Director), Kevin Bray, Ross Campbell, John Delicath, Ashley Hess, Meredith Lilley, Beverly Peterson, and Leigh White made key contributions to this report. Barbara El Osta,", " Karen Howard, Ying Long, Perry Lusk, Jr, Anne Rhodes-Kline, Dan Royer, Kiki Theodoropoulos, and Walter Vance also made important contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 46, @@ -4829,7 +4874,8 @@ " anticorruption training of Tanzanian prosecutors and investigators by the U.S. Embassy's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT); and wildlife crime scene investigations and evidence collection training by USAID and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in at least one case facilitated by the conservation and antipoaching organization the PAMS Foundation, whose cofounder was murdered in 2017 (see above). Outlook Tanzania is likely to remain a generally stable but poor developing country for the foreseeable future. Increasing multiparty competition may contribute to gradual growth in demand for political change, democratic accountability, improved governance, and greater political pluralism\u2014but potentially also to increased political tension.", " Growing access to information, notably via mobile phones, may spur similar trends by increasing exposure to information on current events, and global social and governance norms. It may also contribute to market growth through increased information to pricing data and improved social services. Such changes, along with continuing infusions of foreign assistance, including from the United States, and gradually improving public infrastructure and government services, are likely to spur increasing economic activity, production, and trade, thus improving quality of life for the Tanzanian people. The United States, while expressing periodic concern over issues such as corruption, appears likely\u2014as suggested by bilateral relations trends and aid levels in recent years\u2014to continue to support the strengthening of Tanzania's democratic system and the socioeconomic development of its people,", " and to look to Tanzania as a key development partner in East and Southern Africa.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 47, @@ -4899,7 +4945,8 @@ " or the effect of established rates on the supply of such care. See tables 12 to 16 for reimbursement rates and family co-payments for informal providers in eight communities we visited. Information on Baltimore, Maryland, is shown in table 11. Appendix III: Comments from the Department of Health and Human Services Appendix IV: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contacts Staff Acknowledgments The following people also made important contributions to this report: Danielle T. Jones; R. Scott McNabb; Cynthia Decker; Patrick diBattista; Joel Grossman; Elsie Picyk; Bill Keller; and Daniel Schwimer.", " Related GAO Products Child Care: States Have Undertaken a Variety of Quality Improvement Initiatives, but More Evaluations of Effectiveness Are Needed. GAO-02-897. Washington, D.C.: September 6, 2002. Early Childhood Programs: The Use of Impact Evaluations to Assess Program Effects. GAO-01-542. Washington, D.C.: April 16, 2001. Child Care: States Increased Spending on Low-Income Families. GAO-01-293. Washington, D.C.: February 2, 2001. Child Care: How Do Military and Civilian Center Costs Compare?", " GAO/HEHS-00-7. Washington, D.C.: October 14, 1999. Child Care: Use of Standards to Ensure High Quality Care. GAO/HEHS-98-223R. Washington, D.C.: July 31, 1998. Welfare Reform: States\u2019 Efforts to Expand Child Care Programs. GAO/HEHS-98-27. Washington, D.C.: January 13, 1998. Welfare Reform: Implications of Increased Work Participation for Child Care. GAO/HEHS-97-75. Washington, D.C.: May 1997.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 48, @@ -5139,7 +5186,8 @@ " (Washington: October 16, 1998). -----, Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Department of the Treasury, GAO report OCG-99-14, (Washington: October 21, 1998). -----, Performance and Accountability Series, Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: A Governmentwide Perspective, GAO report GAO-01-241,(Washington: January 2001). ----- Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Department of the Treasury, GAO report GAO-01-254, (Washington: January 2001). -----, Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: U.", " S. Postal Service, GAO report GAO-01-262, (Washington: January 2001). Selected World Wide Web Sites Important information regarding current and past budgets (including budget documents), the federal budget process, and duties and functions are available at thefollowing web sites. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) http://www.cbo.gov General Accounting Office (GAO) http://www.gao.gov National Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service http://www.house.gov/natcommirs/main.htm Office of Government Ethics http://www.usoge.gov Office of Management and Budget (OMB) http://www.whitehouse.Gov/", "OMB/index.html Office of Management and Budget, Statements of Administration Policy (SAPS) http://www.whitehouse.Gov/OMB/legislative/sap/index.html \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 49, @@ -5261,7 +5309,8 @@ " The Board\u2019s duties are to provide advice to regional boards on issues, best practices, and emerging trends relating to rural development; to provide advice to the Secretary and the National Institute on Regional Rural Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship, also created by the Act, on the development and execution of the program; and to provide advice to the Secretary and subsequently review the design, development, and execution of the National Rural Investment Plan. The National Rural Investment Plan is expected to, among other things, create a framework to encourage and support a more collaborative and targeted rural investment portfolio in the United States; and cooperate with state and local governments,", " organizations, and entities to create and enhance the pool of resources committed to rural community and economic development. Section 6028 of the 2008 Farm Bill is one of many actions taken by Congress over the years to encourage the coordination of rural policies and programs. It also further demonstrates Congress\u2019 commitment to promoting rural entrepreneurship and community development through collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies. A total of $135 million in funding has been authorized for the new program. Appendix V: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Paul Schmidt, Assistant Director;", " Charles Adams; Michelle Bowsky; Tania Calhoun; Emily Chalmers; Elizabeth Curda; Ronald Ito; Marc Molino; and Carl Ramirez made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 50, @@ -5493,7 +5542,8 @@ " Regulated agents are validated by aviation authority prior to regulating and auditing shippers and conducting inspections of air cargo. Air cargo handlers and workers attend government-certified schools to receive mandatory training in air cargo security awareness and quality control. Air cargo workers undergo background checks that include a criminal history records check before being granted access to cargo facilities. Air cargo workers must be of native descent to be hired. Developing multicountry database containing information on all known consignors and regulated agents to facilitate the exchange of information among countries. Actions Taken by Select Foreign Governments to Secure Air Cargo Security personnel accompany and surround aircraft upon landing to guard aircraft and its contents,", " including cargo. Biometric technologies used to control access to cargo facilities. Cargo is stored in secured terminal facility, located within a \u201crestricted\u201d area of the airport. All individuals accessing cargo facilities are required to pass through a walk-through metal detector. attempt to gain access to cargo warehouses/facilities; if successful, all cargo in the breached facility is considered unknown and must be inspected before being loaded unto aircraft. Government and airport authority subsidize the costs of purchasing X-ray equipment to inspect air cargo. Appendix VIII: Comments from the Department of Homeland Security Appendix IX: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above,", " John C. Hansen, Assistant Director; Susan Baker; Charles W. Bausell; Katherine Davis; Jennifer Harman; Richard Hung; Cathy Hurley; Tom Lombardi; Jeremy Manion; Linda Miller; Steve D. Morris; and Meg Ullengren made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 51, @@ -5696,7 +5746,8 @@ " Dennis Amari, Alan Belkin, Edda Emmanuelli-Perez, Colin Fallon, Michele Fejfar, Kevin Heinz, Logan Kleier, Randall Lennox, Omari Norman, Tina Sherman, Mindi Weisenbloom, and Alwynne Wilbur made key contributions to this report. GAO\u2019s Mission The General Accounting Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies;", " and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through the Internet. GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov) contains abstracts and full\u00ad text files of current reports and testimony and an expanding archive of older products. The Web site features a search engine to help you locate documents using key words and phrases.", " You can print these documents in their entirety, including charts and other graphics. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence. GAO posts this list, known as \u201cToday\u2019s Reports,\u201d on its Web site daily. The list contains links to the full-text document files. To have GAO e-mail this list to you every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to e-mail alerts\u201d under the \u201cOrder GAO Products\u201d heading. Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 52, @@ -5804,7 +5855,8 @@ " It has also been suggested that data related to college costs and price should be designed to be useful, accurate, timely, and understandable. On the basis of the bills already introduced by Congress related to these issues, Congress may continue to consider how to make better information more readily available to current and prospective students. While Congress may consider addressing the need for more useful information to be made available to the public (e.g., additional data on instructional expenditures, completion and graduation rates, or faculty information), it might do so by building on existing data collection strategies. Current legislation mandates that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) collect data from postsecondary institutions and that institutions respond to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)", " surveys in a timely manner. There are some concerns, however, that institutions do not respond appropriately to IPEDS. In addition, there are time lags between when the data are collected and released to the public. This could be a problem, however, with any data collection designed to include the universe of institutions. In addition, existing HEA legislation requires institutions to provide current and prospective students and their families with a variety of institutional information. While institutions are required to tell enrolled students what information is available, Congress could consider strengthening existing requirements by specifying how data must be presented in terms of user-friendly formats and how individuals must be notified about the existence of the data and how to easily obtain it.", " There also is discussion of adding additional accountability measures for institutions. If these measures are added, provisions could be made to ensure that this information is made available to students and their families. The U.S. Department of Education currently maintains an online database of information about postsecondary institutions known as the College Navigator. Congress could use the College Navigator as one venue for making any additional information about postsecondary institutions available to the public and could consider whether changes are needed in the design of the website or in the information presented on the current site to improve the usefulness of the data. Appendix. Average Undergraduate Tuition and Fees\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 53, @@ -5913,7 +5965,8 @@ " DOD comments were too late to include in this report but are included in GAO-03-690R. Moreover, the civilian strategic plans did not address how the civilian workforce will be integrated with their military counterparts or sourcing initiatives. DOD\u2019s three human capital strategic plans-- two military and one civilian--were prepared separately and were not integrated to form a seamless and comprehensive strategy and did not address how DOD plans to link its human capital initiatives with its sourcing plans, such as efforts to outsource non-core responsibilities. The components\u2019 civilian plans acknowledge a need to integrate planning for civilian and military personnel\u2014taking into consideration contractors\u2014but have not yet done so.", " Without an integrated strategy, DOD may not effectively and efficiently allocate its scarce resources for optimal readiness. www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-03-475. To view the full report, including the scope and methodology, click on the link above. For more information, contact Derek B. Stewart at (202) 512-5559 or stewartd@gao.gov. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However,", " because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 54, @@ -5974,7 +6027,8 @@ "1983,1984, 1985,1986,1987,1988, 1989,1990,1991,1994 1980,1981,1982,1984, 1987,1988,1989,1990, 1991,1993 (continued) Major Contributors to This Report General Government Division, Washington, D.C. Phillip J. Thomas, Assistant Director Michael Kassack, Adviser Stanton J. Rothouse, Senior Evaluator Rona Mendelsohn, Evaluator (Communications Analyst) European Office Office of the General Counsel, Washington, D.C.", " Office of the Chief Economist, Washington, D.C. Loren Yager, Assistant Director The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts.", " NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301) 258-4066, or TDD (301) 413-0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (301) 258-4097 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists. Address Correction Requested\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 55, @@ -6063,7 +6117,8 @@ " Government Employment. GAO-10-274. Washington, D.C.: March 9, 2010. Iraqi Refugee Assistance: Improvements Needed in Measuring Progress, Assessing Needs, Tracking Funds, and Developing an International Strategic Plan. GAO-09-120. Washington, D.C.: April 21, 2009. Refugee Resettlement: Unused Federal Funds in 1991 and 1992. GAO/HRD-94-44. Washington, D.C.: December 7, 1993. Refugee Resettlement: Initial Reception and Placement Assistance. GAO/NSIAD-", "93-193BR. Washington, D.C.: June 18, 1993. Refugee Resettlement: Federal Support to the States Has Declined. GAO/HRD-91-51. Washington, D.C.: December 21, 1990. Soviet Refugees: Issues Affecting Domestic Resettlement. GAO/HRD-90-106BR. Washington, D.C.: June 26, 1990. Refugee Program: Financial Accountability for Refugee Resettlement Can Be Improved. GAO/NSIAD-89-92. Washington, D.C.: March 17,", " 1989. Refugee Programs: Status of Early Employment Demonstration Projects. GAO/NSIAD-88-91. Washington, D.C.: February 3, 1988. Refugee Program: Initial Reception and Placement of New Arrivals Should Be Improved. GAO/NSIAD-86-69. Washington, D.C.: April 7, 1986. Greater Emphasis on Early Employment and Better Monitoring Needed in Indochinese Refugee Resettlement Program. GAO/HRD-83-15. Washington, D.C.: March 1, 1983.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 56, @@ -6182,7 +6237,8 @@ " indeed management problems across the board. Regarding DOD in particular, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld\u2019s vision and approach for transforming the department\u2019s full range of business processes is serious and encouraging. These efforts will be key to fulfilling the President\u2019s Management Agenda and addressing the largest obstacle to an opinion on the U.S. government\u2019s consolidated financial statements. The cooperative efforts spearheaded by the JFMIP Principals have been most encouraging in developing the short- and long-term strategies and plans necessary to address many of the problems I have discussed this morning. In addition, GAO has probably never had a better working relationship with OMB and cabinet level and other key officials on a range of \u201cgood government issues\u201d that are of critical importance and are inherently non-partisan in nature.", " While these and other factors provide an enhanced likelihood for success, in the end it is results that count. Finally, I want to reiterate the value of sustained congressional interest in these issues, as demonstrated by this hearing and those the former Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations held over the past several years to oversee financial management reform. It will also be key that the appropriations, budget, authorizing, and oversight committees hold agency top leadership accountable for resolving these problems and that they support improvement efforts. Contacts For further information regarding this testimony, please contact Jeffrey C.", " Steinhoff, Managing Director, and Gary T. Engel, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, at (202) 512-2600. CFO Act Agencies: Fiscal Year 2002 Audit Results, Principal Auditors, and Number of Other Audit Contractors R. Navarro & Associates, Inc.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 57, @@ -6216,7 +6272,8 @@ " IRS also needs to determine the most cost-effective ways to prevent delinquencies from occurring, as well as what it can do in its return, payment, and compliance processes to reduce the number of invalid accounts entering the collection process. To stay competitive in today\u2019s business environment, IRS must continually strive to improve collections by testing new and innovative approaches. Madam Chairman, this concludes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to answer any questions. The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents,", " when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301) 258-4066, or TDD (301)", " 413-0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 58, @@ -6407,7 +6464,8 @@ "Regulatory Organizations EB - Bureau for Economic and Business Affairs FATF - Financial Action Task Force FBAR - Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation FCS - Financial Crimes Section FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Fed - Federal Reserve System FFIEC - Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council FID - Financial Investigations Division FinCEN - Financial Crimes Enforcement Network FIP - Financial Investigative Program FSRBs - FATF Style Regional Bodies FTATC - Foreign Terrorist Asset Tracking Center FTATG - Foreign Terrorist Asset Targeting Group HIFCA - High-risk money laundering and related financial crimes areas IC - Intelligence Community ICE - Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement IG - Inspector General IMF - International Monetary Fund INS - Immigration and Naturalization Service IEEPA - International Emergency Economic Powers Act IRS - Internal Revenue Service IRTPA - Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ITFWG - International Terrorism Financing Working Group JTTF - Joint Terrorism Task Forces LDC - Garden City (Garden City,", " NY) Counterterrorism Lead Development Center MENAFATF - Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force MLCC - Money Laundering Coordination Center MOA - Memorandum of Understanding MSB - Money Service Business NAMLG - National Anti-Money Laundering Group NCTC - National Counterterrorism Center NFA - National Futures Association NSC - National Security Council OCC - Office of the Comptroller of the Currency OECD - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OFAC - Office of Foreign Assets Control OTS - Office of Thrift Supervision PCC - Policy Coordinating Committee SARs - suspicious activity reports SB/", "SE - Small Business and Self-Employed Taxpayers Division S/CT - Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission SSCI - Senate Select Committee on Intelligence TE/GE - Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division TFI - Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence TFOS - Terrorist Financing Operation Section TFWG - Terrorist Finance Working Group TSA - Transportation Security Administration UNSCR - United Nations Security Council Resolution\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 59, @@ -6625,7 +6683,8 @@ " hundreds of billions of dollars of borrowing by the Treasury (through the Treasury Supplementary Financing Program) has allowed the Fed to increase its lending capacity without detrimental effects on inflation. But as long as there is no government program to systematically manage financial difficulties at too big to fail institutions, the Fed is the only institution that can step in quickly enough to cope with problems on a case-by-case basis. While some had believed TARP provided the type of systemic approach that would allow the Fed to return to a more traditional role, the Fed's subsequent creation of lending facilities to support the commercial paper market, mortgage market, and asset-backed securities market suggests that TARP cannot cover all unforeseen contingencies.", " Furthermore, TARP is scheduled to expire in October 2010 and is limited in size, although Fed and TARP money have been coupled in order for TARP to have an impact beyond the $700 billion authorized by Congress. The Fed's actions have resulted in an unprecedented expansion in its balance sheet and the portion of the money supply it controls. Normally, this would be highly inflationary, but inflation has remained low because of the financial crisis. As the economy improves, the Fed will need to contain this monetary expansion to prevent inflation from rising, but not so fast that it causes the financial system to destabilize again. The increase in the balance sheet could have already been automatically reversed by the decline in the Fed's direct lending,", " but the Fed has chosen to offset it through large-scale purchases of assets to maintain a high level of liquidity in the economy. The Fed views paying interest on bank reserves (authorized by P.L. 110-343 ) as an effective way to prevent inflation from rising.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 60, @@ -6855,7 +6914,8 @@ " including, but not limited to: ordering any person to divest himself of any interest, direct or indirect, in any enterprise; imposing reasonable restrictions on the future activities or investments of any person, including, but not limited to, prohibiting any person from engaging in the same type of endeavor as the enterprise engaged in, the activities of which affect interstate or foreign commerce; or ordering dissolution or reorganization of any enterprise, making due provision for the rights of innocent persons. (b) The Attorney General may institute proceedings under this section. Pending final determination thereof, the court may at any time enter such restraining orders or prohibitions, or take such other actions,", " including the acceptance of satisfactory performance bonds, as it shall deem proper. (c) Any person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of section 1962 of this chapter may sue therefore in any appropriate United States district court and shall recover threefold the damages he sustains and the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee, except that no person may rely upon any conduct that would have been actionable as fraud in the purchase or sale of securities to establish a violation of section 1962. The exception contained in the preceding sentence does not apply to an action against any person that is criminally convicted in connection with the fraud,", " in which case the statute of limitations shall start to run on the date on which the conviction becomes final. (d) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding brought by the United States under this chapter shall stop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by the United States.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 61, @@ -6967,7 +7027,8 @@ " Economic Gains (GAO/GGD-94-83A&B, July 29, 1994). High-Value Product Exports: Good Potential Exists for More Trade With Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia (GAO/GGD-94-52, Nov. 19, 1993). U.S. Department of Agriculture: Issues Related to the Export Credit Guarantee Programs (GAO/T-GGD-93-28, May 6, 1993). Loan Guarantees: Export Credit Guarantee Programs\u2019 Costs Are High (GAO/GGD-93-45, Dec. 22, 1992). The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free.", " Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 37050 Washington, DC 20013 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202)", " 512-6000 or by using fax number (202) 512-6061, or TDD (202) 512-2537. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 62, @@ -7202,7 +7263,8 @@ " For example, we relied heavily on the FAO Secretariat\u2019s assessment of individual developing and developed country progress reports that were provided to the Secretariat during early 1998. We did not undertake a comprehensive study of actions taken by governments, international agencies, and civil society to improve coordination and monitor and evaluate progress toward achieving summit commitments. We conducted our review from February 1997 to September 1998 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Comments From the U.S. Agency for International Development Major Contributors to This Report National Security and International Affairs Division, Washington, D.C. Phillip J. Thomas Wayne H. Ferris Gezahegne Bekele Edward George The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free.", " Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 37050 Washington, DC 20013 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202)", " 512-6000 or by using fax number (202) 512-6061, or TDD (202) 512-2537. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 63, @@ -7411,7 +7473,8 @@ " Some argue that tension between Iran and Israel could bring Israel and/or the United States and Iran's Arab neighbors closer together, perhaps even to some level of cooperation. Others caution that any Israeli strike could outrage Iran's Arab neighbors, and that the conflict would become regional and factious. The security of U.S. military personnel, facilities, and material in neighboring countries is also of concern to U.S. decision makers and regional leaders. Of a Nuclear Iran Most regional states (with a few noteworthy exceptions) are concerned primarily with avoiding potential conflicts with Iran that could lead to military action or regional instability. Some might even prefer to learn to live with a nuclear Iran than to endure a regional war to prevent one.", " The primary concern among policy makers is the potential for a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, which would under undermine regional stability and run counter to the Obama Administration's long term vision of a world without nuclear weapons and its shorter term strategy to reduce the number of strategic warheads and missiles and to end the production of fissile material. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remark about possibly protecting the Gulf states under a \"defense umbrella\" was perceived by some as a tacit acceptance of the prospect of a nuclear Iran. Others saw it as an effort to mitigate the risk of a nuclear arms race\u2014highlighting concerns that some of Iran's neighbors might pursue their own nuclear programs if they become convinced that Iran's nuclear aspirations cannot be checked.", " In the interim others have highlighted the dangers of a de facto regional conventional arms race, as Iran's Gulf Arab neighbors take steps to upgrade and expand their military forces as a deterrent and Iraq continues its efforts to reconstitute and reequip its military.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 64, @@ -7458,7 +7521,8 @@ " 80% insurer responsibility/20% patient responsibility). Due to various issues related to primary payment responsibility and veterans therefore experiencing adverse credit reporting to credit bureaus or debt collections by collections agencies, Congress enacted P.L. 115-26, which amended P.L. 113-146 and made VA the primary payer for veterans with OHI who seek care for nonservice-connected conditions through the VCP. This change went into effect on April 19, 2017. The VA would coordinate with a veteran's OHI and recover any costs, and bill the veteran for any copayments that the veteran would be responsible for similar to what they would have paid had they received care within a VA medical facility (see Figure 3 ). Community care providers or the TPAs are no longer required to collect copays,", " cost-shares, or deductibles from veterans with OHI. Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE are not considered OHI plans under the VCP. Provider Payment Methodologies Guidance on rates for the delivery of care is outlined in Table 4. As stated before, first, the Veterans Choice Program providers are to receive their reimbursements from the TPA. Then the VA is to reimburse the third-party administrator. Eligible VA community care providers who decide to participate under the PC3 network (rather than the Choice network) may incur reimbursement rates lower than those of Medicare. If these providers move to the Choice network, they may negotiate for a similar rate as contracted under the PC3 Network.", " Veterans and VA community care providers may call the Community Care Call Center to discuss billing issues. These issues range from the need to resolve a debt collection to inappropriately billed services. Appendix A. Veterans Choice Program (VCP) High-Level Work Flow Appendix B. VA Information Pertaining to the End of the Contract with Health Net \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 65, @@ -7486,7 +7550,8 @@ " and the release of Defense Department certified data, among other considerations. The Commission proposed legislation to extend the period to seven (7) months. Commission Subpoena Power The 2005 Commission suggested that a future body be granted the Commission the power to subpoena witness for its hearings. Commission General Counsel as Sole Ethics Counselor The Commission recommended a statutory designation of the Commission's General Counsel as its sole ethics counselor. The 2005 Commission found that questions concerning recusal from consideration, potential conflicts of interest, etc., were not materially assisted by consultation with other agency counsel. Transparency Legislation recommended by the Commission stated that the \"records, reports, transcripts,", " minutes, correspondence, working papers, drafts, studies or other documents that were furnished to or made available to the Commission shall be available for public inspection and copying at one or more locations to be designated by the Commission. Copies may be furnished to members of the public at cost upon request and may also be provided via electronic media in a form that may be designated by the Commission.\" It would continue the traditional practice of opening all unclassified hearings and meetings of the Commission to the public and provides for official transcripts, certified by the Chairman, to be made available to the public. Repeal of Existing Law The recommended legislation would have repealed Sec. 2912-", "2914 of the existing law. These sections authorized the 2005 round and include, among other provisions, the statutory installation selection criteria.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 66, @@ -7700,7 +7765,8 @@ " 103-236 Government shutdown -- Nov. 1995 -- Jan. 1996 FY1996 -- P.L. 104-134, Sec. 405 (appropriations legislation) FY1997 -- P.L. 104-208, Sec. 404 (appropriations legislation) FY1998-99 -- State Dept authorization was passed in the omnibus appropriations bill, Nov. 1998-- P.L. 105-277 FY2000-2001 -- P.L. 106-113, ( H.R. 3427 ), appendix G of consolidated appropriations Act/D.C. appropriations legislation FY2002 -- authorization requirement waived for FY2002 in CJS appropriations Act.", " (Section 405, P.L. 107-77, signed Nov. 28, 2001) FY2003 -- P.L. 107-228, authorization for FY2003, signed September 30, 2002. Table 1. State Department and Related Agencies Appropriations and Proposed Authorizations (millions of dollars) *FY2002 enacted numbers do not include funds provided in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation Act ( P.L. 107-38 ). ** P.L. 106-113 sec. 604 authorized up to $900 million for FY2000 through FY2004. a.", " Includes funding supplementals from P.L. 107-38 ; P.L. 107-117, P.L. 107-206, and P.L. 108-11. b. Funding level includes a transfer of $100.040 million from Foreign Operations appropriations to State Department appropriations for FSA and Seedprograms.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 67, @@ -7769,7 +7835,8 @@ " it has as stronger smell and is oily to the touch, whereas JP-4 is more solvent-like. Its ASTM specification is MIL-DTL-83133, and is identified by NATIO as F-34. JP-8+100 includes an additive that increases thermal stability. JP-8 has also been adopted for use in diesel-powered tactical ground vehicles. Middle Distillate range fuels include kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuel. Military installation means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department or, in the case of an activity in a foreign country,", " under the operational control of the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Defense (10 U.S.C. 2801(c)(2)). Mogas (motor gasoline) is the primary fuel for non-tactical ground vehicles. Multiyear contracting is a special contracting method to acquire known requirements in quantities and total cost not over planned requirements for up to five years unless otherwise authorized by statute, even though the total funds ultimately to be obligated may not be available at the time of contract award (48 CFR 17.104 General). This method may be used in sealed bidding or contracting by negotiation. Agency funding of multiyear contracts must conform to OMB Circulars A-", "11 (Preparation and Submission of Budget Estimates) and A-34 (Instructions on Budget Execution). Naphtha is a petroleum distillate with a boiling range between gasoline and heavier benzene. It is used as a feedstock in gasoline production where it is catalytically reformed from a lower to a higher octane product termed reformate. \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 68, @@ -8004,7 +8071,8 @@ " dependent on the specific activity. The FY2017 Consolidated Appropriations Explanatory Statement provides additional guidance within the S&T account including two directives adopted from the Senate report, S.Rept. 114-281, accompanying S. 3068 as reported during the 114 th Congress. The Explanatory Statement includes the Senate Committee on Appropriations direction for the agency's National Center for Computational Toxicology [NCCT] \"to develop data use guidance for ToxCast and other computational data...,\" as well as the Senate Committee recommendation that EPA support research efforts to establish a best practices approach for Enhanced Aquifer Recharge [EAR]", " in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey. The Explanatory Statement includes the Committee's recommendation that EPA contract with the National Academy of Sciences to peer review the agency's revised draft Integrated Risk Information System assessment of formaldehyde should the review be completed in FY2017. Title IV of Division G, \"General Provisions,\" contains provisions that would generally restrict or prohibit the use of FY2017 funds by EPA for implementing or proceeding with a number of regulatory actions, including in some instances conducting research to support these actions. Most of these general provisions have been included in previous fiscal year appropriations. Additional directives have been included in the form of administrative provisions within Title II of Division G.", " The 114 th Congress House-passed and Senate-reported bills had proposed a number of additional general and administrative provisions, but most were not included in the FY2017 consolidated appropriations. The proposed administrative provisions can be found in Title II and the general provisions in Title IV House-passed H.R. 5538 and Senate Committee-reported S. 3068. Appendix. Acronyms and Abbreviations\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 69, @@ -8213,7 +8281,8 @@ " If so decided, the contracting is governed by the requirements of OMB Circular A-76. On November22, 2004, the DOD and OPM announced the transfer of the function, along with 1,850 staff, fromDSS to OPM. On February 15, 2005, OPM announced the selection of 12 managers for keyleadership positions in the personnel security investigations program. According to OPM,\"Beginning February 20, the transfer [of DSS' personnel security investigations program to OPM]will establish OPM as the single source for federal national security background and suitabilityinvestigative services for more than 90 percent of the federal government.\" (96)", " The Intelligence Reform Act added several new requirements to the clearance process, whichaffected OPM. Designed to expedite, simplify, and standardize the process, the Intelligence ReformAct also called upon the President to designate a single executive branch agency to be responsiblefor security clearance investigations and directed the head of OPM to establish and operate anintegrated, secure database on security clearances. In response, the Office of Management andBudget, along with OPM, developed a plan to accomplish these goals, in part by setting prioritiesamong requests and emphasizing reciprocity among federal agencies in accepting previous PSIresults. (97) The plan alsoconsolidated responsibility for operating the investigative process system in OPM.", " Key CRS Policy Staff\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 70, @@ -8268,7 +8337,8 @@ " medical drawdown information, data on beneficiary access to care, data on military medical staffing in Europe, analyses of beneficiary complaints, and beneficiary handbooks about military and host nation medical care. We did our work between March 1994 and March 1995 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. U.S. Military Medical Facilities in Germany and Northern Italy The following is a list of all U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army medical facilities operating in Germany and northern Italy as of April 21, 1995. Air Force facilities are noted with an asterisk. Hospitals Clinics Comments From the Department of Defense The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free.", " Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301)", " 258-4066, or TDD (301) 413-0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (301) 258-4097 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists. Address Correction Requested\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 71, @@ -8351,7 +8421,8 @@ " We also reviewed ARTF-related program and budget documents from the USAID mission in Afghanistan, including USAID\u2019s 2002 grant agreement with ARTF and modifications to the agreement. We also met with officials of the Department of the Treasury to coordinate our work regarding the World Bank. We reviewed World Bank documents concerning ARTF and interviewed USAID and World Bank officials in Washington, D.C., and in Kabul. \uf0b7 To assess DOD policies and practices regarding multilateral trust funds against these criteria, we reviewed information from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) and CSTC-A.", " This information included the Under Secretary\u2019s February 4, 2011, Interim Guidance on Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) Contributions to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and CSTC-A\u2019s standard operating procedures for direct contributions. We also reviewed United Nations Development Program (UNDP) documents and reports concerning the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan and interviewed DOD officials in Washington, D.C., and in Kabul, as well as UNDP officials in Kabul. Appendix II: Comments from the U.S. Agency for International Development Appendix III: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments Major contributors to this report were Tetsuo Miyabara,", " Assistant Director; Emily Gupta; Bruce Kutnick; Esther Toledo; and Pierre Toureille. Ashley Alley, Pedro Almoguera, Diana Blumenfeld, Jeffrey Baldwin-Bott, Gergana Danailova-Trainor, Martin De Alteriis, Karen Deans, Christopher Mulkins, Mona Sehgal, and Eddie Uyekawa also provided technical assistance.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 72, @@ -8551,7 +8622,8 @@ " the intent of our recommendation is that SEC develop strategies that would allow U.S. securities markets to resume trading, when appropriate, through other broker-dealers such as regional firms that are less affected by the disaster. However, to ensure that such trading is orderly and fair to all investors, SEC will have to ensure that broker-dealers\u2019 business continuity measures at a minimum are adequate to allow prompt transfers of customer funds and securities to other firms so that the customers of firms unable to resume trading are not disadvantaged. Regarding our recommendations to ensure that SEC\u2019s ARP program has sufficient legal authority and resources to be an effective oversight mechanism over exchanges,", " clearing organizations, and ECNs, SEC\u2019s Market Regulation Division Director stated that they will continue to assess whether rulemaking is appropriate. In addition, the letter stated that, if the agency receives additional funding, they will consider recommending to the Chairman that ARP staffing and resources be increased. SEC\u2019s letter also commented that physical security beyond the protection of information technology resources was not envisioned as a component of ARP when the program was initiated. They indicated that they may need additional resources and expertise to broaden their examinations to include more on this issue. In the letter from the Federal Reserve\u2019s Staff Director for Management, he noted that the Federal Reserve is working to improve the resilience of the financial system by cooperating with banking and securities regulators to develop sound practices to reduce the system effects of wide-scale disruptions.", " They are also working with the other banking regulators to expand the guidance for banks on information security and business continuity.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 73, @@ -8588,7 +8660,8 @@ " median processing time at the fourth center, which processes about 50 percent of all work CDRs, was 626 days. (See fig. 6) Within the last year, SSA has started work on some new initiatives to identify CDR enforcement alerts that pose a greater likelihood of resulting in large overpayments. These include prioritizing IRS alerts with reported earnings that are greater than or equal to 12 times the current SGA level in an effort to better target cases for work CDRs, as well as working to update and streamline existing procedures regarding the initiation, follow- up timeframes, and overall completion of work continuing disability reviews for processing center personnel.", " While these and other recent initiatives represent promising steps, it is too early to assess what impact they may have on the prevalence and size of DI overpayments. Chairmen, Ranking Members, and Members of the Subcommittees, this concludes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to respond to any questions you or other Members of the subcommittees may have at this time. Contact and Staff Acknowledgments Daniel Bertoni at (202) 512-7215 or bertonid@gao.gov In addition to the contact mentioned above, Jeremy Cox, Assistant Director; Arthur T. Merriam Jr., Analyst-in-Charge;", " Susan Aschoff; James Bennett; David Forgosh; Monika Gomez; Angela Jacobs; Joel Marus; Sheila McCoy; Cady Panetta; Nyree Ryder Tee; Vanessa Taylor; Walter Vance; and Craig Winslow made key contributions to this statement. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. The published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 74, @@ -8658,7 +8731,8 @@ " $750 million aid plan for the FATA initiated in FY2007. The plan will support Islamabad's own ten-year, $2 billion Sustainable Development effort there. Skepticism has arisen about the potential for the new policy of significantly boosted funding to be effective. Corruption is endemic in the tribal region and security circumstances are so poor that Western nongovernmental contractors find it extremely difficult to operate there. Moreover, as much as half of the allocated funds likely will be devoted to administrative costs. Islamabad is insisting that implementation is carried out wholly by Pakistani civil and military authorities and that U.S. aid, while welcomed, must come with no strings attached.", " Reconstruction Opportunity Zones The related establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) that could facilitate further development in the FATA (and neighboring Afghanistan), an initiative of President Bush during his March 2006 visit to Pakistan, ran into political obstacles in Congress and is yet to be finalized. The ROZ program would provide duty-free access into the U.S. market for certain goods produced in approved areas and potentially create significant employment opportunities. While observers are widely approving of the ROZ plan in principle, many question whether there currently are any products with meaningful export value produced in the FATA. One senior analyst suggests that the need for capital and infrastructure improvements outweighs the need for tariff reductions.", " A Pakistani commentator has argued that an extremely poor law and order situation in the region will preclude any meaningful investment or industrialization in the foreseeable future. In March 2008, more than two years after the initiative was announced, S. 2776, which would provide duty-free treatment for certain goods from designated ROZs in Afghanistan and Pakistan, was introduced in the Senate. A related bill, H.R. 6387, was referred to House subcommittee four months later. Neither bill has emerged from committee to date.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 75, @@ -8699,7 +8773,8 @@ " For example, legislation that would prohibit the performance of an abortion once a fetus has reached a gestational age of 20 weeks, a point in development when some contend that the fetus can experience pain, has been considered by state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. It should be noted, however, that fetal pain laws in Idaho, Arizona, and Utah have already been invalidated by the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit). In 2014, the Court declined to review the Ninth Circuit's decision in Isaacson v. Horne, a 2013 case that invalidated Arizona's fetal pain law.", " Even if the Court were to review a case involving a fetal pain law, it seems possible that it could apply the undue burden standard in a manner that deviates from its analysis in Hellerstedt. Unlike the admitting privileges and ASC requirements, which seek to promote women's health, the fetal pain laws were enacted to protect fetuses. Whether the Court would balance the burdens and benefits of a fetal pain law like it did in Hellerstedt is not entirely certain. Notably, the Ninth and Tenth Circuits focused on the Court's discussion of viability in Roe and Casey when they examined the Idaho, Arizona, and Utah fetal pain laws.", " In Casey, the Court emphasized that a state may not unduly interfere with a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy prior to viability: \"Before viability, the State's interests are not strong enough to support a prohibition of abortion or the imposition of a substantial obstacle to the woman's effective right to elect the procedure.\" Because the state fetal pain laws banned most abortions after a specified gestational age, regardless of whether a fetus had attained viability, the Ninth and Tenth Circuits concluded that the laws were unconstitutional. Like the appellate courts, the Supreme Court may focus on viability, rather than a balancing of burdens and benefits, in an examination of a fetal pain law.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 76, @@ -8884,7 +8959,8 @@ " Charles W. Bausell, Jr., Tyra DiPalma-Vigil, Richard Frankel, Terence Lam, and Eugene Wisnoski made key contributions to this report. Important contributions were also made by Nancy Crothers and Amy Webbink. GAO\u2019s Mission The General Accounting Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight,", " policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through the Internet. GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov) contains abstracts and full- text files of current reports and testimony and an expanding archive of older products. The Web site features a search engine to help you locate documents using key words and phrases. You can print these documents in their entirety, including charts and other graphics.", " Each day, GAO issues a list of newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence. GAO posts this list, known as \u201cToday\u2019s Reports,\u201d on its Web site daily. The list contains links to the full-text document files. To have GAO e-mail this list to you every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to e-mail alerts\u201d under the \u201cOrder GAO Products\u201d heading. Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 77, @@ -9074,7 +9150,8 @@ " biological, or nuclear programs. How the United States and others respond in the days and weeks ahead will most likely be watched closely in countries concerned with the potential for confrontation over similar programs in Iran and North Korea. The war in Syria also has been a major dividing line within the United States over competing visions of U.S. foreign policy. Some commentators continue to assert that the American public is \"war-weary,\" and that military intervention is inadvisable when public backing for expending \"blood and treasure\" on an operation of any duration and scope is uncertain. Others suggest that U.S. global leadership is needed more than ever to steer the country and its people away from what some see as isolationist tendencies.", " Appendix. Analysis of Proposed Authorizations for the Use of Military Force as of September 6, 2013 The following analysis is based on the following texts available as of September 6, 2013: Administration Draft Proposal: CNN, Text of draft legislation submitted by Obama to Congress, August 31, 2013. S.J.Res. 21 : Available online from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/S.%20J.%20Res.%2021.pdf Draft Proposal from Representatives Van Hollen and Connolly: Available at: http://www.lawfareblog.com/wp-content/uploads/", "2013/09/165278488-House-Van-Hollen-Connolly-Syria-Resolution.pdf \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 78, @@ -9177,7 +9254,8 @@ " we can only report counts of stakeholders that identified a particular document or organization. We also asked school bus industry stakeholders what areas of additional federal guidance and research, if any, are needed. In identifying sources of leading practices and areas of further federal guidance and research, our questions did not apply to 4 of the 30 stakeholders in both cases. For example, we did not ask federal agencies about what additional federal research or guidance would be useful as we instead asked them about current or future research on school bus safety. The views of these school bus stakeholders are not generalizable to the entire school bus community,", " but they provide us with valuable insights. We analyzed the content of interviews with stakeholders and identified sources of leading practices from our literature review in the areas of inspections, driver training, and vehicle standards. Appendix II: Description of Eight Selected States\u2019 Requirements on School Bus Safety In our review of eight selected states, we found variation in state requirements for and implementation of school bus inspection, driver training, and vehicles standards for maximum age and seating capacity, as shown in table 3 below. Appendix III: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above,", " Susan Zimmerman (Assistant Director), Joanie Lofgren (Analyst in Charge), Carl Barden, Pamela Daum, Leia Dickerson, H. Brandon Haller, David Hooper, Jennifer Kim, Avani Locke, Grant Mallie, Janet Mascia, SaraAnn Moessbauer, Malika Rice, Amy Rosewarne, and Carter Stevens made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 79, @@ -9240,7 +9318,8 @@ " Forces Korea. Table 2 shows training areas that will be provided on a temporary basis to U.S. Forces Korea. Table 3 shows new safety easements to be designated for training areas. Table 4 shows training areas that will be returned to South Korea under the LPP. Table 5 shows training areas where parts of the land will be returned to South Korea. Table 6 shows training facilities and areas that the South Korean government is expected to grant to the U.S. for joint use for the time specified. Safety Easements: According to U.S. Forces Korea officials, a safety easement is a defined distance from an explosive area that personnel and structures must be kept away from and is directly related to the quantity and types of explosives and ammunition present.", " The presence of Korean citizens in areas requiring explosive safety easements has placed them at risk of injury or death in the event of an explosion. Tables 7, 8, and 9 show the various tiers of easements established under the LPP at U.S. military installations. Upper tier easements are those required at enduring installations; middle tier easements are required during armistice, but will not be required after a change in the armistice condition; and lower tier easements are those required at closing installations. U.S. Forces Korea shall enforce safety easements inside U.S. installations,", " while South Korea will enforce safety easements outside U.S. installations. Appendix III: Comments from the Department of Defense\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 80, @@ -9320,7 +9399,8 @@ " 2006. United Nations: Weaknesses in Internal Oversight and Procurement Could Affect the Effective Implementation of the Planned Renovation. GAO-06-877T. Washington, D.C.: June 20, 2006. United Nations: Oil for Food Program Provides Lessons for Future Sanctions and Ongoing Reform. GAO-06-711T. Washington, D.C.: May 2, 2006. United Nations: Internal Oversight and Procurement Controls and Processes Need Strengthening. GAO-06-701T. Washington, D.C.: April 27, 2006.", " United Nations: Funding Arrangements Impede Independence of Internal Auditors. GAO-06-575. Washington, D.C.: April 25, 2006. United Nations: Lessons Learned from Oil for Food Program Indicate the Need to Strengthen UN Internal Controls and Oversight. GAO-06-330. Washington, D.C.: April 25, 2006. United Nations: Procurement Internal Controls Are Weak. GAO-06-577. Washington, D.C., April 25, 2006. United Nations: Preliminary Observations on Internal Oversight and Procurement Practices. GAO-", "06-226T. Washington, D.C.: October 31, 2005. United Nations: Sustained Oversight Is Needed for Reforms to Achieve Lasting Results. GAO-05-392T. Washington, D.C.: March 2, 2005. United Nations: Oil for Food Program Audits. GAO-05-346T. Washington, D.C.: February 15, 2005.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 81, @@ -9376,7 +9456,8 @@ " n.d. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) and Department of Interior. Developing an Interagency, Landscape-scale Fire Planning Analysis and Budget Tool. n.d.. Fairbanks, Frank, Elizabeth Hill, Patrick Kelly, Lyle Laverty, Keith F. Mulrooney, Charlie Philpot, and Charles Wise. Wildfire Suppression: Strategies for Containing Costs. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Public Administration, September 2002. Fairbanks, Frank, Henry Gardner, Elizabeth Hill, Keith Mulrooney, Charles Philpot, Karl Weick, and Charles Wise. Managing Wildland Fire:", " Enhancing Capacity to Implement the Federal Interagency Policy. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Public Administration, December 2001. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Wildland Fire Management: Some Information Needs and Opportunities. Working paper, National Hazards Information Strategy, July 2002. National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Information Resource Management Strategy Project: Wildland Fire Business Model. National Interagency Fire Center. August 1996. National Wildfire Coordinating Group, Information Resource Management Working Team, Geospatial Task Group. Geospatial Technology for Incident Support: A White Paper.", " April 12, 2002.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 82, @@ -9465,7 +9546,8 @@ " percentage change in after tax income. Table 18 and Table 19 present this data for income classes and population shares. At that point, the TPC was using adjusted gross income as their income measure, although they later developed expanded income measures. Among a variety of statistics released by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, one statistic presented is the average tax change among income quintiles. Their discussion cautions the reader in using this measure (as would the authors of this report), but it is included here for comparison purposes and to lend some concreteness to understanding the problem with percentage change in tax liability. As Table 20 demonstrates,", " the average tax change in the lowest quintile, a group accounting for about half of the under $30,000 cash income group in the Treasury table, is only a dollar. Clearly, this group gained essentially nothing from the tax change. The entire under $30,000 group probably gained an average of about $20\u2014again, a very negligible amount. Thus, while the Treasury table seems to suggest that this group benefitted more than average (\"15%\" as compared with an overall benefit of 11%), many people would not characterize the relative benefits in this way. The percentage change in after tax income, by contrast, suggests that these lower-income groups gained very little.", " It is particularly in these lower-income classes where average tax liabilities are small or negative, that percentage changes in tax liability can be highly misleading.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 83, @@ -9547,7 +9629,8 @@ " Based on discussions with FERC and NERC staff about utility compliance, as well as a review of public information about the activities of bulk power asset owners (and the vendors supplying them), there appear to be physical security improvements underway among owners of bulk power critical assets. The public record is too anecdotal to assert conclusively that these changes are occurring uniformly and at every relevant utility, but NERC's summary compliance reports so far have been positive, especially for such a new standard. As NERC concluded in its State of Reliability 2017 report What NERC can measure is that no major cyber- and few physical-related load losses have happened to date;", " that extremely low numbers of incidents have occurred on the operating side, and that attention to security performance has been excellent on the corporate side. Although the electric power sector seems to be moving in the direction of more extensive physical security, many measures have yet to be implemented and the process of corporate realignment around physical security is still underway. As the CPUC has stated, It appears that the North American electric industry is in intermediate stages of fully harnessing the potential of security technologies and staff expertise, and integrating security and risk assessment values into the utility culture such that utility physical security ultimately is prioritized on par with safety and reliability. Therefore, although it is probably accurate to conclude that,", " based on the objectives of the CIP-014 standards, the U.S. electric grid is more physically secure than it was five years ago, it has not necessarily reached the level of physical security needed based on the sector's own assessments of risk. Bulk power physical security remains a work in progress. As CIP-014 implementation and other physical security initiatives proceed, Congress may seek to maintain its focus on the power sector's overall progress, not only on short term compliance with NERC's security standards, but also on structural changes supporting physical security as a priority far into the future.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 84, @@ -9609,7 +9692,8 @@ " Rhodes, Technical Director John B. Stephenson, Assistant Director Kirk J. Daubenspeck, Evaluator-in-Charge Patrick R. Dugan, Auditor Cristina T. Chaplain, Communications Analyst The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O.", " Box 37050 Washington, DC 20013 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (202) 512-6061, or TDD (202) 512-2537. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-", "6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 85, @@ -9804,7 +9888,8 @@ " Essential health benefits FMAP : Federal medical assistance percentage FPL: Federal poverty level FQHCs: Federally Qualified Health Centers FY: Fiscal year GAO: U.S. Government Accountability Office HCERA: Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ( P.L. 111-152 ) HDHP : High-deductible health plan H ealth FSAs : Health flexible spending accounts HHS: Health and Human Services HI: Hospital Insurance HIRIF: Health Insurance Reform Implementation Fund HRAs: Health reimbursement accounts HRPs: High-risk pools HSA: Health savings account IRC:", " Internal Revenue Code IRS: Internal Revenue Service JCT: Joint Committee on Taxation LTSS: Long-term services and supports MACRA : The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 ( P.L. 114-10 ) MAGI: Modified adjusted gross income MSAs : Medical savings accounts MSP : Multistate plan PCIP: Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan PHSA: Public Health Service Act PPFA: Planned Parenthood Federation of America PPHF: Prevention and Public Health Fund QHPs: Qualified health plans SHOP: Small Business Health Options Program SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SSA:", " The Social Security Act SSI: Supplemental Security Income TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 86, @@ -9884,7 +9969,8 @@ " such as through prior experience working on food safety at senior levels in the federal government as well as through current work in food-related industries, nongovernmental research organizations, state agencies, foreign food safety agencies, academia, and advocacy groups. Appendix II: Options GAO Has Identified to Improve the Federal Food Safety Oversight System In our previous work, we have identified several options to improve the federal food safety oversight system. These options include establishing a coordination mechanism led by a central chair, a food safety inspection agency, a data collection and risk analysis center, and a single food safety agency and are described in table 7.", " Appendix III: Actions Identified by Experts to Consider Including in a National Strategy to Improve Food Safety Oversight During the 2-day meeting we convened with the assistance of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, experts identified a number of actions to consider including in a national strategy to improve food safety oversight. At least 10 of the 19 experts agreed that each of these actions described in table 8 could be appropriate to consider for inclusion in a national strategy, but not all of the experts agreed that every identified action should be considered. We are not endorsing any of these actions. These actions were identified by experts for consideration.", " Appendix IV: Comments from the Department of Health and Human Services Appendix V: Comments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Appendix VI: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above, Anne K. Johnson (Assistant Director), Kevin Bray, Candace Carpenter, Stephen Cleary, Michelle Duren, Ellen Fried, Kirsten Lauber, Benjamin T. Licht, Marya Link, Rekha Vaitla, Walter Vance, and Sarah Veale made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 87, @@ -10069,7 +10155,8 @@ " We also found that a significant portion of these companies\u201412.5 percent of those that went private in 2004\u20132005\u2014had not filed quarterly or annual financial statements with SEC in more than 2 years; therefore, we did not have access to recent financial information. Appendix III: Comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission Appendix IV: Comments from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Appendix V: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contacts GAO Contacts Acknowledgments In addition to those named above, Harry Medina and John Reilly, Assistant Directors; E. Brandon Booth;", " Michelle E. Bowsky; Carolyn M. Boyce; Tania L. Calhoun; Martha Chow; Bonnie Derby; Barbara El Osta; Lawrance L. Evans Jr.; Gabrielle M. Fagan; Cynthia L. Grant; Maxine L. Hattery; Wilfred B. Holloway; Kevin L. Jackson; May M. Lee; Kimberly A. McGatlin; Marc W. Molino; Karen V. O\u2019Conor; Eric E. Petersen; David M. Pittman; Robert F. Pollard; Carl M. Ramirez; Philip D. Reiff;", " Barbara M. Roesmann; Jeremy S. Schwartz; and Carrie Watkins also made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 88, @@ -10258,7 +10345,8 @@ " Ernie Jackson, and Rona Mendelsohn made key contributions to this report. GAO\u2019s Mission The General Accounting Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.", " Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through the Internet. GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov) contains abstracts and full- text files of current reports and testimony and an expanding archive of older products. The Web site features a search engine to help you locate documents using key words and phrases. You can print these documents in their entirety, including charts and other graphics. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence. GAO posts this list, known as \u201cToday\u2019s Reports,\u201d on its Web site daily.", " The list contains links to the full-text document files. To have GAO e- mail this list to you every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to e-mail alerts\u201d under the \u201cOrder GAO Products\u201d heading. Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 89, @@ -10293,7 +10381,8 @@ " Having better and more complete data on the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking as well as related services provided to victims of these crimes can without doubt better inform and shape the federal programs intended to meet the needs of these victims. One key challenge in doing this is weighing the relative benefits of obtaining these data with their relative costs because of the sensitive nature of the crimes, those directly affected, and the need for services and support. Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Grassley, and Members of the Committee, this completes my prepared statement. I would be happy to respond to any questions you or other Members of the Committee may have at this time.", " Contacts and Acknowledgements For questions about this statement, please contact Eileen R. Larence at (202) 512-8777 or larencee@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this statement. Individuals making key contributions to this statement include Debra B. Sebastian, Assistant Director; Aditi Archer, Frances Cook, and Lara Miklozek. Key contributors for the previous work that this testimony is based on are listed in each individual report. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States.", " The published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 90, @@ -10342,7 +10431,8 @@ " assistance if Moscow violates human rights standards. Many in Congress have had continuing concerns about democratization and human rights progress in Russia, as reflected in calls in recent foreign operations appropriations bills as well as other legislation and hearings for added Obama Administration attention to Russian democratization. Among recent Member attention, Speaker of the House John Boehner in a speech in October 2011, called for conditioning U.S.-Russia relations on Russian progress on democratization and respect for human rights, and offered the support of the House of Representatives for such a policy. On December 2, 2011, members of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe criticized a court action against Golos just days before the election,", " and on December 7 criticized the balloting as the \"most controversial election in decades.\" The Commission also raised concerns about the detention of those protesting against what the Commission termed the flawed election. Senator John McCain raised concerns on December 7, 2011, that democratization and human rights have been declining in Russia, as evidenced by the problematic Duma election\u2014as well as by the death of Sergey Magnitsky, the new conviction of Mikhail Khodorkovskiy, and worsening corruption\u2014and called for protesters detained after the election to be released. He also warned that \"as Russia's Government grows less tolerant of its own people's rights at home,", " we should not be surprised if it treats us the same way.\" Also on December 7, Senators McCain, Joseph Lieberman, and Jeanne Shaheen issued a statement condemning Russian police crackdowns on those demonstrating against the \"blatant fraud\" of the Duma election and calling for their release. These challenges to Russia's democratic development likely will continue to be of concern to Congress and the Administration as they consider the course of U.S.-Russia cooperation on matters of mutual strategic interest and as they monitor problematic human rights cases. A major question of U.S.-Russia relations is whether Russia can be an enduring and reliable partner in international relations if it fails to uphold human rights and the rule of law.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 91, @@ -10385,7 +10475,8 @@ " INGAA analyzed the possible impact of requiring assessments and periodic reassessments and found that significant disruptions in the natural gas supply and considerable price increases could occur. A more moderate impact was predicted in three subsequent analyses\u2014two reviews of the INGAA study performed for PHMSA by the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center and by the Department of Energy during the congressional debate over the pipeline bill, and a post-act PHMSA evaluation of its implementing regulations. A waiver provision was included in the 2002 act after INGAA\u2019s study was completed; this may serve as a safety valve if it appears that the natural gas supply may be disrupted.", " Finally, of the 44 natural gas pipeline operators that we contacted that had begun baseline assessments, 26 operators (59 percent) indicated that their assessments and repairs did not require them to shutdown their pipelines or reduce their operating pressure. Sixteen (36 percent) reported minor disruptions in their gas supply because they temporarily shut down pipelines and reduced operating pressure to conduct assessments or repairs. They told us that they used alternate gas sources, such as liquefied natural gas, to sustain their customers\u2019 gas supply. The remaining two operators told us that they were not able to meet all their customers\u2019 needs,", " but the customers were able to obtain natural gas from other sources. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 92, @@ -10589,7 +10680,8 @@ " 2014). S.Res. 451 ( Passed on 6/4/2014 ): A resolution recalling the Government of China's forcible dispersion of those peaceably assembled in Tiananmen Square 25 years ago, in light of China's continued abysmal human rights record (Barrasso, May 15, 2014). S.Res. 361 ( Passed on 4/8/2014 ): A resolution recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression in the People's Republic of China and urging the Government of the People's Republic of China to take meaningful steps to improve freedom of expression as fitting of a responsible international stakeholder (Cardin,", " February 24, 2014). H.Res. 327 (Not passed): Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding China's membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) (Bentivolio, August 2, 2013). H.Res. 281 (Not passed): Expressing concern over persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience, in the People's Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners imprisoned for their religious beliefs, and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups (Ros-Lehtinen, June 27,", " 2013). H.Res. 245 (Not passed): Recognizing the 24 th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, calling for the release of Dr. Wang Bingzhang, and for other reasons (Bentivolio, June 4, 2013).\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 93, @@ -10793,7 +10885,8 @@ " if they held the I-94A up to a window or who made it otherwise visible, to better enable detection it by the reader. Vehicle drivers or occupants who displayed an I-94A in any of these requested ways were categorized as \u201cparticipants,\u201d but read rates for them were, nevertheless, low at four of five test locations. For example, at Nogales-DeConcini, which had the lowest vehicle-entry read rates overall, the read rate was 27 percent for the 62 persons re-entering in vehicles with visitors whom US -VISIT reported as making an effort to have their I-", "94A tags read. In contrast, at Nogales-Mariposa, which had the highest overall re-entry read rate for the vehicle test, US-VISIT reported that 83 out of 96 (86 percent) of travelers who were categorized as participants were detected. Among those at this same location who did not make this effort, US-VISIT reported that I-94s with RFID tags were detected for about half (51 percent) of the persons in the vehicles. Table 6 shows the results of RFID read-rates upon re-entry for vehicle participants and nonparticipants. Table 7 shows the results of RFID read-rate detection upon re-entry for pedestrian participants and nonparticipants.", " Appendix VIII: Comments from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Appendix IX: GAO Contact and Acknowledgments Acknowledgments In addition to the above, John F. Mortin, Assistant Director; Amy Bernstein, Frances Cook, Odi Cuero, Richard Hung, Amanda Miller, James R. Russell, and Jonathan Tumin made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 94, @@ -11007,7 +11100,8 @@ " Weaknesses in Financial Management System Implementation. GAO-01-489. Washington, D.C.: April 30, 2001. Tax Systems Modernization: Results of Review of IRS\u2019 Third Expenditure Plan. GAO-01-227. Washington, D.C.: January 22, 2001. Tax Systems Modernization: Results of Review of IRS\u2019 August 2000 Interim Spending Plan. GAO-01-91. Washington, D.C.: November 8, 2000. Indian Trust Funds: Improvements Made in Acquisition of New Asset and Accounting System But Significant Risks Remain.", " GAO/AIMD-00- 259. Washington, D.C.: September 15, 2000. Tax Systems Modernization: Results of Review of IRS\u2019 March 7, 2000, Expenditure Plan. GAO/AIMD-00-175. Washington, D.C.: May 24, 2000. Executive Guide: Creating Value Through World-class Financial Management. GAO/AIMD-00-134. Washington, D.C.: April 2000. Indian Trust Funds: Interior Lacks Assurance That Trust Improvement Plan Will Be Effective. GAO/AIMD-99-", "53. Washington, D.C.: April 28, 1999. Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual, Volume I: Financial Statement Audits. GAO/AIMD-12.19.6. Washington, D.C.: January 1999. District of Columbia: Status of Efforts to Develop a New Financial Management System. GAO/AIMD-97-101R. Washington, D.C.: July 9, 1997. Information Security: Opportunities for Improved OMB Oversight of Agency Practices. GAO/AIMD-96-110. Washington, D.C.: September 24, 1996.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 95, @@ -11107,7 +11201,8 @@ " which are dependent on INS\u2019 future hiring requirements and its ability to meet those requirements. GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contacts Acknowledgments Lori A. Weiss Barbara A. Guffy Jennifer Y. Kim Marianne C. Cantwell David P. Alexander Michelle A. Sager The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent.", " U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 37050 Washington, DC 20013 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (202) 512-6061, or TDD (202) 512-2537. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days,", " please call (202) 512-6000 using a touch- tone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 96, @@ -11181,7 +11276,8 @@ " the Secretary of Energy; the Director, Office of Management and Budget; and other interested parties. In addition, this report will be available at no charge on the GAO website at http://www.gao.gov. If you or your staff members have any questions about this report, please contact me at (202) 512-3841 or trimbled@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this report. GAO staff who made major contributions to this report are listed in appendix V. Appendix I: Timeline of Hanford Single-", " shell Tanks Online, roll your mouse over each year in the figure for additional information. For a printable version, see appendix III, page 30. Appendix II: Timeline of Hanford Double- Shell Tanks Figure 7 shows design life data for double-shell tanks. Appendix III: Age and Retrieval Schedule for Hanford Single-Shell Tanks (Corresponds to Fig. 6) Appendix III: Age and Retrieval Schedule for Hanford Single-Shell Tanks (Corresponds to Fig. 6) Table 1 lists information contained in interactive figure 6. Appendix IV: Comments from the Department of Energy Appendix V:", " GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Dan Feehan, Assistant Director; Mark Braza; John Delicath; Scott Fletcher; Rich Johnson; Jeff Larson; Armetha Liles; and Kyle Stetler made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 97, @@ -11275,7 +11371,8 @@ " 9. We incorporated the amount of funds involved in the program into the report\u2019s text. 10. We included NASA\u2019s current estimate of planned EOS spending through fiscal year 2000 in the report\u2019s text. 11. We revised our report to include NASA\u2019s comments about lower program baseline costs and its confidence that it will decrease costs further. 12. We deleted the material NASA is referring to. The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary.", " VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301) 258-4066, or TDD (301) 413-", "0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 98, @@ -11340,7 +11437,8 @@ " D.C. Figure I.2: The Air Force Materiel Command Organizational Structure Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C. Comments From the Department of the Air Force Major Contributors to This Report Accounting and Information Management Division, Washington, D.C. Chicago/Dayton Field Office Robert P. Kissel, Jr., Senior Evaluator Steven M. Hunter, Senior Evaluator Robert G. Preston, Senior Evaluator The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents,", " when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 37050 Washington, DC 20013 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (202) 512-6061, or TDD (202) 512-2537.", " Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 99, @@ -11549,7 +11647,8 @@ " Allison Abrams, Nathan Anderson, Dan Blair, Patrick Dynes, Reid Lowe, Ernie Jackson, Austin Kelly, Bruce Kutnick, Berel Spivack, and Roger Stoltz made major contributions to this report. GAO\u2019s Mission The Government Accountability Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight,", " policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov). Each weekday, GAO posts newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence on its Web site. To have GAO e-mail you a list of newly posted products every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to Updates.\u201d Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud,", " Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Congressional\t Relations Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 100, @@ -11585,7 +11684,8 @@ "4 trillion in additional revenue from 2016 through 2030, and another study estimated that U.S. federal, state, and local tax receipts combined with royalties from drilling on federal lands could increase by an annual average of $3.9 to $5.7 billion from 2015 through 2035. Chairman Conaway, Ranking Member Peterson, and Members of the Committee, this completes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to answer any questions that you may have at this time. GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments If you or your staff members have any questions concerning this testimony,", " please contact me at (202) 512-3841 or ruscof@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this statement. Other individuals who made key contributions include Christine Kehr (Assistant Director), Quindi Franco, Alison O\u2019Neill, and Kiki Theodoropoulos. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. The published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material,", " permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 101, @@ -11774,7 +11874,8 @@ " Their views are incorporated throughout this report where appropriate. Major Contributors to This Report General Government Division, Washington, D.C. Kansas City Regional Office Royce L. Baker, Tax Issue Area Coordinator Terry Tillotson, Evaluator-in-Charge Kirk R. Boyer, Senior Evaluator Kathleen J. Squires, Evaluator Bradley L. Terry, Evaluator Thomas N. Bloom, Computer Specialist The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted,", " also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301) 258-4066, or TDD (301) 413-0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony.", " To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 102, @@ -11881,7 +11982,8 @@ " We also met with two actuaries, two actuarial industry associations, and members of CCRC residents\u2019 associations that work with CCRC management on behalf of older Americans who reside in CCRCs. To describe what risks CCRC consumers face, as well as what state laws exist to protect consumers from financial and other risks, and what is known about how adequately they protect consumers, in the states we selected we reviewed and analyzed state laws pertaining to specifically to CCRCs that are designed to inform and protect consumers, and met with selected state regulatory officials. We also reviewed summary information on laws and regulations across all states that was compiled by an industry association.", " We also reviewed examples of CCRC disclosures and other information provided by CCRCs in states we reviewed. In addition, we met with industry associations, CCRC providers, and two attorneys who specialize in housing and health care for older Americans. In addition, we met with members of CCRC residents\u2019 associations that work with CCRC management on behalf of older Americans who reside in CCRCs. We conducted this performance audit from June 2009 to June 2010 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.", " We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. Appendix II: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contacts named above, Patrick Ward (Assistant Director), Clarita Mrena (Assistant Director), Joe Applebaum, Emily Chalmers, Erin Cohen, Andrew Curry, Mike Hartnett, Marc Molino, Walter Ochinko, Angela Pun, and Steve Ruszczyk made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 103, @@ -11969,7 +12071,8 @@ " First, our suggestion was based primarily on our review of HCFA\u2019s exception process discussed in chapter 4. We found that in general the only factor that affected a determination of whether a facility met the atypical services criterion was its proportion of Medicare patients, but a higher than average proportion in itself does not mean a SNF furnishes atypical services. Thus, we recommended that the review process be revised and suggested several types of information that might be useful to differentiate SNFs that furnish atypical services from those that merely have higher than normal costs. Second, as stated in chapter 1\u2019s scope and methodology section, our analysis of SNF patients was designed to answer questions about the characteristics of and services received by Medicare patients in facilities with and without RCL exceptions.", " The analysis is valid for these purposes. Moreover, we would expect that at least some differences between patients in the two SNF groups would be shown by such an analysis, and the fact that no differences emerged lends additional support to our suggestion to look at using Medicare-only data during the exception review process. HHS also noted that, in concert with the Congress, it is working on development of a PPS for SNFs that is expected to be sensitive to a facility\u2019s case mix. HHS believes that such a payment method would eliminate the need for an exception process. A SNF PPS that is sensitive to case mix might lessen the need for an exception process,", " but we suspect that some exception-type process would remain either for individual cases or facilities. Prospective payment methods generally retain such features. For example, Medicare\u2019s inpatient hospital PPS provides for paying sole community hospitals differently because of their special circumstances and provides a way for hospitals to receive additional payments for outlier cases that are extremely costly.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 104, @@ -12026,7 +12129,8 @@ " Research is being conducted on whether a combination of ammonia and carbon dioxide gases or polymers can be used in the draw solution, and on the effects of marine biology on the membranes. The attractiveness of forward osmosis is that when combined with industrial or power production processes that produce waste heat, its electricity requirements can be significantly less than for reverse osmosis. Potential disadvantages of forward osmosis are a lower quantity of freshwater per unit of water treated and a larger quantity of brine requiring disposal. Freezing Processes Freezing processes involve three basic steps: (1) partial freezing of the feed water in which ice crystals of fresh water form an ice-brine slurry;", " (2) separating the ice crystals from the brine; and (3) melting the ice. Freezing has some inherent advantages over distillation in that less energy is required and there is a minimum of corrosion and scale formation problems because of the low temperatures involved. Freezing processes have the potential to concentrate waste streams to higher concentration than other processes, and the energy requirements are comparable to reverse osmosis. While the feasibility of freeze desalination has been demonstrated, further research and development remains before the technology will be widely available. Ion Exchange In ion exchange, resins substitute hydrogen and hydroxide ions for salt ions. For example,", " cation exchange resins are commonly used in home water softeners to remove calcium and magnesium from \"hard\" water. A number of municipalities use ion exchange for water softening, and industries requiring extremely pure water commonly use ion exchange resins as a final treatment following reverse osmosis or electrodialysis. The primary cost associated with ion exchange is in regenerating or replacing the resins. The higher the concentration of dissolved salts in the water, the more often the resins need to be renewed. In general, ion exchange is rarely used for salt removal on a large scale.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 105, @@ -12085,7 +12189,8 @@ " Only investment companies organized or created under the laws of the United States or a state are allowed to sell their own securities in interstate commerce in connection with a public offering unless the SEC finds that it is legally and practically feasible to enforce the federal securities laws against the investment company and that the exemption from registration is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors. The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 prohibits the sale in interstate commerce of certain securities which have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 unless the securities have been issued under an indenture. There must be at least one or more trustees under the indenture, at least one of whom shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States,", " a state, territory, or the District of Columbia or a corporation or other person permitted to act as trustee by the SEC which is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States98 The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is a multi-member board headed by the Secretary of the Treasury. CFIUS may review any \"covered transaction,\" defined as any merger, acquisition, or takeover by or with a foreign person which could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States,", " for its possible impact upon national security. Factors to be considered in determining the impact upon national security are numerous and include domestic production needed for projected national defense requirements, the capability and capacity of domestic industries to meet national defense requirements, the control of domestic industries and commercial activity by foreign citizens as it affects the capability and capacity of the United States to meet the requirements of national security, and the potential effects of the proposed or pending transaction on United States international technological leadership in areas affecting United States national security. If the Committee determines that the acquiring party is an entity controlled by a foreign government, the Committee shall conduct an investigation of the transaction as a national security investigation.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 106, @@ -12158,7 +12263,8 @@ " and to the uncertainty of the benefits that will be derived from the results of basic research. Approach: DOD Basic Research as a Share of Defense S&T In 2004, the Council on Competitiveness asserted that DOD basic research should be at least 20% of Defense S&T. In 2015, the Coalition for National Security Research also recommended basic research account for 20% of Defense S&T. Data and Analysis DOD basic research funding grew steadily from FY1998 through FY2017, more than doubling in current dollars. (See Figure 9.) As a share of Defense S&T, basic research declined from 14.", "6% in FY1996 to 11.0% in FY2006, then began a steady rise to 18.4% in FY2015, its highest level in two decades. Basic research's share of Defense S&T fell in 2016 to 17.4% and in 2017 to 16.2%. (See Figure 10.) Concluding Observations Defense S&T investments are highly complex and can be parsed in many ways. Some of these are highlighted in this report. Other ways of parsing RDT&E funding\u2014such as allocation by size of industrial performers\u2014may also be important for assessing the balance in allocation of DOD RDT&E resources to meet DOD objectives.", " Among the many other factors that may affect the effectiveness of the performance of Defense S&T are organizational structures and relationships; management; workforce recruitment, training, and retention; and policies related to cooperative research and technology transfer. Defense S&T stakeholders have also asserted the importance of stability in funding streams. As Congress undertakes defense annual authorization and appropriations, it may wish to consider the issues raised in this report related to the magnitude and composition of funding for Defense S&T in the overall context of DOD RDT&E, as well as the other issues such as those identified above.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 107, @@ -12234,7 +12340,8 @@ " examining remedial action plans to determine whether FDIC had addressed identified vulnerabilities in a timely manner; examining two FDIC OIG reports for information on the corporation\u2019s reviewing security event records to determine if security events were tracked and resolved appropriately; reviewing continuity of operations plans, contingency plans, and test results to determine whether contingency planning controls were appropriately implemented; and examining two FDIC OIG reports for information on the corporation\u2019s information security strategic management activities. To determine the status of FDIC\u2019s actions to correct or mitigate previously reported information security weaknesses, we reviewed prior GAO reports to identify previously reported weaknesses,", " examined FDIC\u2019s corrective action plans, and assessed the effectiveness of those actions. We conducted this audit in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provided a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objective. Appendix II: Comments from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Appendix III: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contacts Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the individuals named above,", " Gregory Wilshusen (Director); Gary Austin, Paul Foderaro, and Michael Hansen (Assistant Directors); William Cook (Analyst in Charge); Wayne Emilien; Nancy Glover; Franklin Jackson; Thomas J. Johnson; Jean Mathew; David Plocher; Dacia Stewart; and Adam Vodraska made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 108, @@ -12345,7 +12452,8 @@ " changes to the Official Bankruptcy Forms; documents related to the modifications made to the case management system to collect additional data elements; training materials used to educate court staff on collecting the new data; and documents on the initiation of the NewSTATS statistical infrastructure. We also reviewed documentation on the Trustee Program\u2019s implementation of new requirements related to uniform final reports, including the agency\u2019s proposed and final rules related to these reports and draft and final versions of the agency\u2019s report formats. In addition, we reviewed public comment letters submitted to the Trustee Program in response to the rulemaking and the draft reports.", " We also reviewed correspondence between the Trustee Program and the judiciary related to the addition of new data fields to the daily downloads the program receives from AOUSC. We conducted this performance audit from June 2007 through December 2008 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. Appendix II: Comments from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts Appendix III:", " GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above, Jason Bromberg, Assistant Director; Nicholas Alexander; Krista Breen Anderson; Anne A. Cangi; Emily Chalmers; Wilfred Holloway; Angela Pun; and Omyra Ramsingh made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 109, @@ -12560,7 +12668,8 @@ "05-218G. Washington, D.C.: September 2005. Information Technology Investment Management: A Framework for Assessing and Improving Process Maturity. GAO-04-394G. Washington, D.C.: March 2004. Human Capital: Key Principles for Effective Strategic Workforce Planning. GAO-04-39. Washington, D.C.: December 11, 2003. Information Technology: A Framework for Assessing and Improving Enterprise Architecture Management (Version 1.1). GAO-03-584G. Washington, D.C.: April 2003. Tax Administration:", " IRS Needs to Further Refine Its Tax Filing Season Performance Measures. GAO-03-143. Washington, D.C.: November 22, 2002. Internal Control Management and Evaluation Tool. GAO-01-1008G. Washington, D.C.: August 2001. Determining Performance and Accountability Challenges and High Risks. GAO-01-159SP. Washington, D.C.: November 2000. Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government. GAO/AIMD-00-21.3.1. Washington, D.C.: November 1999. Budget Issues:", " Budgeting for Federal Insurance Programs. GAO/T-AIMD-98-147. Washington, D.C.: April 23, 1998. Budget Issues: Budgeting for Federal Insurance Programs. GAO/AIMD-97-16. Washington, D.C.: September 30, 1997. Agencies\u2019 Strategic Plans under GPRA: Key Questions to Facilitate Congressional Review. GAO/GGD-10.1.16. Washington, D.C.: May 1997.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 110, @@ -12604,7 +12713,8 @@ " An agency\u2019s capacity should be commensurate with its responsibilities. As the Congress continues to modify Medicare, CMS\u2019 responsibilities will grow substantially. HCFA\u2019s tasks increased enormously with the enactment of landmark Medicare legislation in 1997 and the modifications to that legislation in 1999 and 2000. In addition to the growth in Medicare responsibilities, the agency that administers this program is also responsible for other large health insurance programs and activities. As the agency\u2019s mission has grown, however, its administrative dollars have been stretched thinner. Adequate resources are vital to support the kind of oversight and stewardship activities that Americans have come to count on\u2014inspection of nursing homes and laboratories,", " certification of Medicare providers, collection and analysis of critical health care data, to name a few. Shortchanging this agency\u2019s administrative budget will put the agency\u2019s ability to handle upcoming reforms at serious risk. In short, because Medicare\u2019s future will play such a significant role in the future of the American economy, we cannot afford to settle for anything less than a world-class organization to run the program. However, achieving such a goal will require a clear recognition of the fundamental importance of efficient and effective day-to-day operations. Conclusions In determining how to reform the Medicare program, much is at stake\u2014 not only the future of Medicare itself but also assuring the nation\u2019s future fiscal flexibility to pursue other important national goals and programs.", " I feel that the greatest risk lies in doing nothing to improve the Medicare program\u2019s long-term sustainability. It is my hope that we will think about the unprecedented challenge facing future generations in our aging society. Engaging in a comprehensive effort to reform the Medicare program and put it on a sustainable path for the future would help fulfill this generation\u2019s stewardship responsibility to succeeding generations. It would also help to preserve some capacity for future generations to make their own choices for what role they want the federal government to play.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 111, @@ -12642,7 +12752,8 @@ " Furthermore, it will be critical that NASA\u2019s financial management organization delivers the kind of analysis and forward- looking information needed to effectively manage its programs and projects. Clear, strong executive leadership will be needed to ensure that these actions are carried out. Given the nation\u2019s fiscal challenges and those that exist within NASA, the availability of significant additional resources is unlikely. NASA has the opportunity to establish a firm foundation for its entire exploration program by ensuring that the level of knowledge necessary to allow decision makers to make informed decisions about where continued investment is justified. Doing so will enhance confidence in the agency\u2019s ability to finally deliver a replacement vehicle for future human space flight.", " Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to respond to any questions that you or other Members of the Committee may have. GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgements For further information regarding this testimony, please contact Allen Li at (202) 512-4841 or lia@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this testimony. GAO staff who made key contributions to this testimony include Greg Campbell, Richard Cederholm, Hillary Loeffler, James L. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Niblack,", " and Shelby S. Oakley. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 112, @@ -12688,7 +12799,8 @@ " Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared remarks. I will be pleased to answer any questions you or other members of the subcommittee may have. Contact and Acknowledgments For further information regarding this testimony, please contact Cynthia A. Bascetta at (202) 512-7101. Kristen Joan Anderson, Jacquelyn Clinton, Pamela Dooley, Lesia Mandzia, Marcia Mann, and Daniel Montinez also contributed to this statement. Related GAO Products Human Subjects Research: HHS Takes Steps to Strengthen Protections, but Concerns Remain. GAO-01-775T. Washington,", " D.C.: May 23, 2001. VA Research: Protections for Human Subjects Need to Be Strengthened. GAO/HEHS-00-155. Washington, D.C.: September 28, 2000. VA Research: System for Protecting Human Subjects Needs Improvements. GAO/T-HEHS-00-203. Washington, D.C.: September 28, 2000. Scientific Research: Continued Vigilance Critical to Protecting Human Subjects. GAO/T-HEHS-96-102. Washington, D.C.: March 12, 1996. Scientific Research:", " Continued Vigilance Critical to Protecting Human Subjects. GAO/HEHS-96-72. Washington, D.C.: March 8, 1996. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 113, @@ -12875,7 +12987,8 @@ " Erickson Principal Scientist Digital Media Systems Lab Hewlett-Packard Laboratories Michael Jensen Director of Web Communications National Academies Press P. K. Kannan Associate Professor Robert H. Smith School of Business University of Maryland Nick Kemp Senior Vice President of Operations Nature Publishing Group William C. Lamparter President and Principal PrintCom Consulting Group Craig Nevill-Manning Senior Staff Research Scientist Google Inc. GAO\u2019s Mission The General Accounting Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people.", " GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through the Internet. GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov) contains abstracts and full- text files of current reports and testimony and an expanding archive of older products. The Web site features a search engine to help you locate documents using key words and phrases.", " You can print these documents in their entirety, including charts and other graphics. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence. GAO posts this list, known as \u201cToday\u2019s Reports,\u201d on its Web site daily. The list contains links to the full-text document files. To have GAO e-mail this list to you every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to e-mail alerts\u201d under the \u201cOrder GAO Products\u201d heading. Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 114, @@ -12958,7 +13071,8 @@ " We chose our case study states based on input from an NCHRP report highlighting states with leading practices in the areas of: education/awareness, assessment/licensing, engineering, agency coordination, strategic planning and data analysis. We compared practices across the six states to identify common themes. We also identified and determined, to the extent possible, key practices based on our analysis. The scope of our work focused on older driver safety. Prior GAO work addressed the associated issue of senior mobility for those who do not drive. We conducted our review from April 2006 through April 2007 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.", " We requested official comments on this report from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. States\u2019 Licensing Requirements for Older Drivers Tables 5 through 7 list older driver licensing requirements in effect in certain states. Comments from Department of Health and Human Services GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the individual named above, Sara Vermillion, Assistant Director; Michael Armes; Sandra DePaulis; Elizabeth Eisenstadt; Joel Grossman; Bert Japikse; Leslie Locke; Megan Millenky; Joshua Ormond;", " and Beverly Ross made key contributions to this report.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 115, @@ -13190,7 +13304,8 @@ " However, some Members of Congress clearly perceive that federal regulatory agencies have sometimes established regulatory requirements that go beyond the intent of Congress when it passed the underlying statutes. This perception in part led to the establishment of expedited congressional regulatory review procedures through the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. If the regulatory provisions that are of concern to companies are, in fact, not required by the statutes, the agencies have a responsibility to address those concerns on their own and not shift the responsibility to Congress. If congressional committees of jurisdiction or individual Members of those committees believe that an agency\u2019s regulations do not reflect the intent of the underlying statute or its legislative history,", " those committees or Members can communicate their concerns to the agencies informally. If Congress as a whole believes an agency\u2019s regulation is inconsistent with the intent of the underlying statute, Congress can amend the statute to reflect current congressional intent and, in effect, require the agency to amend its regulation. The expedited congressional regulatory review procedures in the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act may also serve as a vehicle for that communication\u2014at least for new or revised regulations. If Congress believes a new or revised regulation is inconsistent with the intent of the underlying statute, it can pass a resolution disapproving the rule. On the other hand, Congress can allow regulations to take effect if it believes that a rule is in keeping with statutory intent.", " Although no substitute for straightforward discussions between agencies and Congress, the congressional review procedures in the act have the potential to lead to a better understanding between major players in the federal rulemaking process.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 116, @@ -13253,7 +13368,8 @@ "HRD-93-6, Feb. 9, 1993). Foster Care: Children\u2019s Experiences Linked to Various Factors; Better Data Need (GAO/HRD-91-64, Sept. 11, 1991). Child Welfare: Monitoring Out-of-State Placements (GAO/HRD-91-107BR, Sept. 3, 1991). The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free. Additional copies are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the following address, accompanied by a check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary.", " VISA and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, also. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25 percent. U.S. General Accounting Office P.O. Box 6015 Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 Room 1100 700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) U.S. General Accounting Office Washington, DC Orders may also be placed by calling (202) 512-6000 or by using fax number (301) 258-4066, or TDD (301) 413-", "0006. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain these lists.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 117, @@ -13361,7 +13477,8 @@ " exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through the Internet. GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov)", " contains abstracts and full- text files of current reports and testimony and an expanding archive of older products. The Web site features a search engine to help you locate documents using key words and phrases. You can print these documents in their entirety, including charts and other graphics. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence. GAO posts this list, known as \u201cToday\u2019s Reports,\u201d on its Web site daily. The list contains links to the full-text document files. To have GAO e-mail this list to you every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to e-mail alerts\u201d under the \u201cOrder GAO Products\u201d heading.", " Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 118, @@ -13590,7 +13707,8 @@ " Sustainability. Building \"country ownership\" is one USAID response to the challenge of sustaining development efforts beyond the life of USAID's interventions. Another is more resource mobilization efforts to develop a government's capacity to collect revenue to support development. A clear path to sustainability, however, remains a work in progress. Security. Lack of security for agency personnel overseas poses significant obstacles to successful project implementation. How to get past the security-centered structure that many U.S. embassies have become to regularly meet with government and civil society representatives in order to formulate suitable projects, and how to gain safe access to project locales for appropriate monitoring, are major concerns.", " Security concerns in so-called non-permissive environments, such as South Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen, pose considerably greater problems, including periodic evacuation of personnel, complications in finding contractors and grantees willing to undertake the risks of work in the field, and difficulty employing foreign national employees willing to undertake work under U.S. auspices. Program Flexibility. USAID staff face multiple imperatives, including objectives listed in the Foreign Assistance Act, congressional mandates, presidential initiatives, direction from State department diplomats, priorities of partner governments, and the influence of the international community. USAID, as an agency, is challenged to reconcile these varied views,", " yet remain sufficiently flexible to fashion a coherent development program in priority countries. \n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 119, @@ -13786,7 +13904,8 @@ " Time Period of Evaluation(s) Name and Website of Evaluations 2013-2018* Job Search Assistance (JSA) Strategies http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/research/project/job-search-assistance-evaluation Pathways to Advance Career Education (PACE) http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/research/project/innovative-strategies-for-increasing-self-sufficiency Subsidized and Transitional Employment Demonstration (STED) http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/research/project/job-search-assistance-evaluation TANF/", "SSI Disability Transition Project (listed above under SSI) Appendix VI: Comments from the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appendix VII: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Staff Acknowledgments In addition to the contact named above, Gale Harris (Assistant Director), Theresa Lo (Analyst-in-Charge), Matthew Hunter, Brittni Milam, Rhiannon Patterson, Max Sawicky, Rosemary Torres Lerma made significant contributions to this report. Also contributing significantly to this report were Chuck Bausell, James Bennett, Ted Burik, David Chrisinger, Sarah Cornetto,", " and Kirsten Lauber.\n" - ] + ], + "role": null }, { "id": 120, @@ -13857,6 +13976,7 @@ " Because cultural transformations take time, performance management systems reinforce accountability for change management and other organizational goals. Comments from the Department of Homeland Security GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments GAO Contact Acknowledgments In addition to the person named above, Ed Stephenson, Ellen V. Rubin, Tina Smith, Lou V.B. Smith, Masha Pasthhov-Pastein, Karin Fangman, and Ron La Due Lake made key contributions to this report. GAO\u2019s Mission The General Accounting Office, the audit, evaluation and investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the American people.", " GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO\u2019s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability. Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony The fastest and easiest way to obtain copies of GAO documents at no cost is through the Internet. GAO\u2019s Web site (www.gao.gov) contains abstracts and full- text files of current reports and testimony and an expanding archive of older products. The Web site features a search engine to help you locate documents using key words and phrases.", " You can print these documents in their entirety, including charts and other graphics. Each day, GAO issues a list of newly released reports, testimony, and correspondence. GAO posts this list, known as \u201cToday\u2019s Reports,\u201d on its Web site daily. The list contains links to the full-text document files. To have GAO e-mail this list to you every afternoon, go to www.gao.gov and select \u201cSubscribe to e-mail alerts\u201d under the \u201cOrder GAO Products\u201d heading. Order by Mail or Phone To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs Public Affairs\n" - ] + ], + "role": null } ] \ No newline at end of file