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Reports News from the GAO Reports News from the GAO. https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:14:52 -0500 GAO https://www.gao.gov/themes/custom/gao_uswds/img/gao-logo-rss.gif Reports News from the GAO https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Feed provided by GAO. Democracy Assistance: State Department Should Improve Congressional Notification of Its Use of Certain Legal Authorities https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-107900 What GAO Found Federal law contains certain provisions, known as notwithstanding authorities, that allow agencies to provide funding that would otherwise be restricted. Historically, the annual appropriations act has required agencies to notify Congress if they intend to use a notwithstanding authority to provide assistance in countries where U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding. In fiscal years (FY) 2023 and 2024, the joint explanatory statement (JES) accompanying the act included additional directions for providing such notifications. In July 2025 the Secretary of State announced that USAID had ceased to implement foreign assistance. State assumed certain former USAID functions, including some democracy programs, and will submit congressional notifications related to future democracy assistance. While Congress has not included a JES with directions for providing information on notwithstanding authorities with every appropriations act, it did so in fiscal year 2026 and may continue to do so in the future. GAO’s review of 37 State congressional notifications for FYs 2023 and 2024 funding found that 36 of the notifications do not address one of three criteria, specified in Section 7015(c) of the FYs 2023 and 2024 appropriations acts or in their JESs, for reporting the use of notwithstanding authorities. State bureaus identify the need for, and draft, congressional notifications, but State’s guidance to bureaus for drafting notifications does not address these three criteria. Because the reporting criteria have changed over time, guidance to bureaus that addresses any criteria in each annual appropriations act or JES would help State ensure that it notifies Congress, as required or directed, of the intended use of notwithstanding authorities. Such reporting would enhance Congress’s ability to understand and oversee State’s use of notwithstanding authorities and appropriated funds to provide assistance where it would otherwise be prohibited. Notwithstanding Authorities Reporting Criteria in Appropriations Acts and Joint Explanatory Statements (JES) for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 Congressional notifications that State submitted for FYs 2021 through 2024 funding did not clearly and consistently identify the activities for which State planned to use the democracy assistance notwithstanding authority. GAO’s review of 101 notifications citing the authority found that most notifications lacked a clear linkage to the specific programs or activities for which the authority would be used. State’s guidance for congressional notifications does not direct its bureaus to include such linkage. Guidance that contains this direction would help State ensure that its notifications support Congress’s continuing oversight of its use of appropriated funds to provide democracy assistance where it would otherwise be prohibited. Why GAO Did This Study Federal law recognizes promotion of freedom and democracy as a fundamental component of U.S. foreign policy. Annual appropriations acts have authorized agencies to fund democracy programs notwithstanding other provisions of law. Historically, section 7015(c) of these acts has required the notifications include information on the use of such authorities, if known at the date of transmittal. In FYs 2023 and 2024, the JES accompanying the act directed State to report additional information on the use of these authorities. A 2023 House Appropriations Committee print includes a provision for GAO to assess democracy assistance. This report examines, among other topics, (1) the extent to which State’s congressional notifications of its use of notwithstanding authorities for FYs 2023 and 2024 appropriations address the criteria in Section 7015(c) of the appropriations acts for those years and in the accompanying JES and (2) the extent to which State’s congressional notifications of its use of the democracy assistance notwithstanding authority for FYs 2021 through 2024 appropriations presented this information clearly and consistently. GAO analyzed State notifications that cited notwithstanding authorities and were submitted on behalf of eight bureaus. GAO also analyzed State guidance for drafting notifications. In addition, GAO interviewed and solicited written responses from State officials. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:13:23 -0500 /products/gao-27-107900 Immigration Detention: Changes In Inspections of ICE Facilities Raise Questions About Oversight https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-109299 What GAO Found Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detention facility inspections have changed at the same time that the number of immigration detention facilities and the size of the detained population have increased. From April 2025 to April 2026, following a January 2025 Executive Order, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) added over 40 detention facilities that detain noncitizens for over 72 hours. The average daily population of detained noncitizens grew by over 50 percent, to 61,817 individuals, over the timeframe. From fiscal year 2024 to July 2026, three of the four DHS entities that conducted inspections changed the frequency (decreased or increased) or stopped conducting inspections. Changes to Inspections Conducted by DHS Entities from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to July 2026 ICE relies on these inspections to identify deficiencies in its facilities and ensure compliance with its detention standards. However, the frequency of inspections has in some cases decreased, there is an increased reliance on self-inspections, and processes for these inspections have changed. ICE has not used evidence, such as data on deficiencies identified through inspections and performance information such as the extent to which facilities are in compliance with their contracts, to determine the effects of these recent changes on facility conditions. By using evidence to determine these effects and applying the results to improve oversight, ICE could ensure that facilities provide sound conditions and care for noncitizens, in accordance with its standards. Why GAO Did This Study ICE is authorized to detain noncitizens apprehended for violations of immigration law pending removal proceedings or execution of a removal order. ICE guidance states that ICE must detain noncitizens in the most humane manner possible. ICE has established detention standards that dictate how facilities should operate. ICE relies on various DHS entities within and outside of ICE to assess compliance. These inspections identify deficiencies related to medical care and food service, among other areas. GAO was asked to review compliance with detention standards and related oversight. This report examines (1) changes to DHS inspections of detention facilities since GAO’s last report on this topic (GAO-25-107580) and (2) ICE's use of evidence to inform its oversight of detention facilities in light of the changes. GAO reviewed documentation on DHS’s various oversight mechanisms and how they changed between fiscal year 2024 and July 2026. GAO also analyzed ICE data on the number of facilities that detain noncitizens for over 72 hours and the average daily population from April 2025 to April 2026. GAO interviewed officials responsible for conducting oversight from various offices within DHS. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:19:18 -0500 /products/gao-27-109299 Superfund: EPA Should Collect and Use Information on the Effectiveness of Its Recovery of Cleanup Costs https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-107925 What GAO Found The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the Hazardous Substance Superfund Trust Fund to finance cleanup costs at Superfund sites where responsible parties cannot be found or cannot pay. In fiscal years 2006 through 2024, the Trust Fund received about $34 billion in constant 2024 dollars, mostly from General Fund transfers. Congress appropriated about $32.8 billion from the Trust Fund for the Superfund program over this period. Revenue from the reinstated Superfund taxes provided substantial funds for the program in fiscal year 2024. In fiscal years 1996 through 2024, the time frame for which reliable data were available, EPA spent about $25.8 billion at nonfederal National Priorities List (NPL) sites. Remedial activities were the largest category, accounting for about half of EPA’s expenditures at these sites. Through its efforts to hold potentially responsible parties accountable for cleanup, EPA has identified at least one such party for most nonfederal NPL sites, according to EPA data. However, EPA has faced challenges recovering costs. Challenges include having fewer experienced potentially responsible party search staff over the last 10 to 15 years and a limited ability to hold such parties liable. GAO estimates that in fiscal years 1996 through 2024, EPA recovered less than half of what it spent at nonfederal NPL sites. EPA Expenditures and Amounts Recovered from Potentially Responsible Parties at Nonfederal NPL Sites, Fiscal Years 1996–2024 Note: Deleted sites are those where cleanup is complete. This analysis includes 1,622 National Priorities List (NPL) sites and expenditures from the Superfund Trust Fund. It is a point-in-time estimate since cost recovery efforts are ongoing, according to EPA officials. EPA has established some Superfund performance goals and measures to ensure it takes timely cost recovery steps but does not have such tools to assess the effectiveness of its cost recovery across nonfederal NPL sites. EPA officials said they have not done this because cost recovery is a continuous process that may take years to complete. However, measuring the effectiveness of its cost recovery performance—such as by region—would allow EPA to determine how much of the billions of dollars in cleanup costs it is recovering and what kinds of efforts work best to successfully recover costs. This would help EPA determine resource needs and target enforcement efforts. Why GAO Did This Study The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, established the Superfund program to address sites with hazardous substances. Hazardous substances found at Superfund sites have been linked to a variety of human health and environmental problems. The program is administered by EPA, which lists the most contaminated sites on the NPL. Superfund site cleanups are often expensive and lengthy. EPA funds cleanups when it cannot identify parties responsible for the contamination, or when such parties fail to act. The Trust Fund was primarily financed by revenue from Superfund taxes until they expired in 1995. In 2021, Congress began reinstating some Superfund taxes. GAO was asked to review EPA funding, expenditures, and cost recovery at nonfederal NPL sites. This report examines, among other things, (1) funding that the Trust Fund and Superfund program received; (2) amounts EPA spent at nonfederal NPL sites; and (3) the extent to which EPA has identified potentially responsible parties, recovered cleanup costs, and assessed the effectiveness of its cost recovery efforts. GAO analyzed EPA and budget data, visited Superfund sites, and interviewed EPA officials. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:15:02 -0500 /products/gao-27-107925 International Collaboration: Federal Banking Agencies Actively Participated in Standard-Setting Bodies https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108190 What GAO Found The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency help develop financial standards by parti

Reports News from the GAO Reports News from the GAO. https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:02:28 -0500 GAO https://www.gao.gov/themes/custom/gao_uswds/img/gao-logo-rss.gif Reports News from the GAO https://www.gao.gov/rss/reports.xml Feed provided by GAO. Democracy Assistance: State Department Should Improve Congressional Notification of Its Use of Certain Legal Authorities https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-107900 What GAO Found Federal law contains certain provisions, known as notwithstanding authorities, that allow agencies to provide funding that would otherwise be restricted. Historically, the annual appropriations act has required agencies to notify Congress if they intend to use a notwithstanding authority to provide assistance in countries where U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding. In fiscal years (FY) 2023 and 2024, the joint explanatory statement (JES) accompanying the act included additional directions for providing such notifications. In July 2025 the Secretary of State announced that USAID had ceased to implement foreign assistance. State assumed certain former USAID functions, including some democracy programs, and will submit congressional notifications related to future democracy assistance. While Congress has not included a JES with directions for providing information on notwithstanding authorities with every appropriations act, it did so in fiscal year 2026 and may continue to do so in the future. GAO’s review of 37 State congressional notifications for FYs 2023 and 2024 funding found that 36 of the notifications do not address one of three criteria, specified in Section 7015(c) of the FYs 2023 and 2024 appropriations acts or in their JESs, for reporting the use of notwithstanding authorities. State bureaus identify the need for, and draft, congressional notifications, but State’s guidance to bureaus for drafting notifications does not address these three criteria. Because the reporting criteria have changed over time, guidance to bureaus that addresses any criteria in each annual appropriations act or JES would help State ensure that it notifies Congress, as required or directed, of the intended use of notwithstanding authorities. Such reporting would enhance Congress’s ability to understand and oversee State’s use of notwithstanding authorities and appropriated funds to provide assistance where it would otherwise be prohibited. Notwithstanding Authorities Reporting Criteria in Appropriations Acts and Joint Explanatory Statements (JES) for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 Congressional notifications that State submitted for FYs 2021 through 2024 funding did not clearly and consistently identify the activities for which State planned to use the democracy assistance notwithstanding authority. GAO’s review of 101 notifications citing the authority found that most notifications lacked a clear linkage to the specific programs or activities for which the authority would be used. State’s guidance for congressional notifications does not direct its bureaus to include such linkage. Guidance that contains this direction would help State ensure that its notifications support Congress’s continuing oversight of its use of appropriated funds to provide democracy assistance where it would otherwise be prohibited. Why GAO Did This Study Federal law recognizes promotion of freedom and democracy as a fundamental component of U.S. foreign policy. Annual appropriations acts have authorized agencies to fund democracy programs notwithstanding other provisions of law. Historically, section 7015(c) of these acts has required the notifications include information on the use of such authorities, if known at the date of transmittal. In FYs 2023 and 2024, the JES accompanying the act directed State to report additional information on the use of these authorities. A 2023 House Appropriations Committee print includes a provision for GAO to assess democracy assistance. This report examines, among other topics, (1) the extent to which State’s congressional notifications of its use of notwithstanding authorities for FYs 2023 and 2024 appropriations address the criteria in Section 7015(c) of the appropriations acts for those years and in the accompanying JES and (2) the extent to which State’s congressional notifications of its use of the democracy assistance notwithstanding authority for FYs 2021 through 2024 appropriations presented this information clearly and consistently. GAO analyzed State notifications that cited notwithstanding authorities and were submitted on behalf of eight bureaus. GAO also analyzed State guidance for drafting notifications. In addition, GAO interviewed and solicited written responses from State officials. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:13:23 -0500 /products/gao-27-107900 Immigration Detention: Changes In Inspections of ICE Facilities Raise Questions About Oversight https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-109299 What GAO Found Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detention facility inspections have changed at the same time that the number of immigration detention facilities and the size of the detained population have increased. From April 2025 to April 2026, following a January 2025 Executive Order, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) added over 40 detention facilities that detain noncitizens for over 72 hours. The average daily population of detained noncitizens grew by over 50 percent, to 61,817 individuals, over the timeframe. From fiscal year 2024 to July 2026, three of the four DHS entities that conducted inspections changed the frequency (decreased or increased) or stopped conducting inspections. Changes to Inspections Conducted by DHS Entities from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to July 2026 ICE relies on these inspections to identify deficiencies in its facilities and ensure compliance with its detention standards. However, the frequency of inspections has in some cases decreased, there is an increased reliance on self-inspections, and processes for these inspections have changed. ICE has not used evidence, such as data on deficiencies identified through inspections and performance information such as the extent to which facilities are in compliance with their contracts, to determine the effects of these recent changes on facility conditions. By using evidence to determine these effects and applying the results to improve oversight, ICE could ensure that facilities provide sound conditions and care for noncitizens, in accordance with its standards. Why GAO Did This Study ICE is authorized to detain noncitizens apprehended for violations of immigration law pending removal proceedings or execution of a removal order. ICE guidance states that ICE must detain noncitizens in the most humane manner possible. ICE has established detention standards that dictate how facilities should operate. ICE relies on various DHS entities within and outside of ICE to assess compliance. These inspections identify deficiencies related to medical care and food service, among other areas. GAO was asked to review compliance with detention standards and related oversight. This report examines (1) changes to DHS inspections of detention facilities since GAO’s last report on this topic (GAO-25-107580) and (2) ICE's use of evidence to inform its oversight of detention facilities in light of the changes. GAO reviewed documentation on DHS’s various oversight mechanisms and how they changed between fiscal year 2024 and July 2026. GAO also analyzed ICE data on the number of facilities that detain noncitizens for over 72 hours and the average daily population from April 2025 to April 2026. GAO interviewed officials responsible for conducting oversight from various offices within DHS. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:19:18 -0500 /products/gao-27-109299 Superfund: EPA Should Collect and Use Information on the Effectiveness of Its Recovery of Cleanup Costs https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-107925 What GAO Found The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the Hazardous Substance Superfund Trust Fund to finance cleanup costs at Superfund sites where responsible parties cannot be found or cannot pay. In fiscal years 2006 through 2024, the Trust Fund received about $34 billion in constant 2024 dollars, mostly from General Fund transfers. Congress appropriated about $32.8 billion from the Trust Fund for the Superfund program over this period. Revenue from the reinstated Superfund taxes provided substantial funds for the program in fiscal year 2024. In fiscal years 1996 through 2024, the time frame for which reliable data were available, EPA spent about $25.8 billion at nonfederal National Priorities List (NPL) sites. Remedial activities were the largest category, accounting for about half of EPA’s expenditures at these sites. Through its efforts to hold potentially responsible parties accountable for cleanup, EPA has identified at least one such party for most nonfederal NPL sites, according to EPA data. However, EPA has faced challenges recovering costs. Challenges include having fewer experienced potentially responsible party search staff over the last 10 to 15 years and a limited ability to hold such parties liable. GAO estimates that in fiscal years 1996 through 2024, EPA recovered less than half of what it spent at nonfederal NPL sites. EPA Expenditures and Amounts Recovered from Potentially Responsible Parties at Nonfederal NPL Sites, Fiscal Years 1996–2024 Note: Deleted sites are those where cleanup is complete. This analysis includes 1,622 National Priorities List (NPL) sites and expenditures from the Superfund Trust Fund. It is a point-in-time estimate since cost recovery efforts are ongoing, according to EPA officials. EPA has established some Superfund performance goals and measures to ensure it takes timely cost recovery steps but does not have such tools to assess the effectiveness of its cost recovery across nonfederal NPL sites. EPA officials said they have not done this because cost recovery is a continuous process that may take years to complete. However, measuring the effectiveness of its cost recovery performance—such as by region—would allow EPA to determine how much of the billions of dollars in cleanup costs it is recovering and what kinds of efforts work best to successfully recover costs. This would help EPA determine resource needs and target enforcement efforts. Why GAO Did This Study The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, established the Superfund program to address sites with hazardous substances. Hazardous substances found at Superfund sites have been linked to a variety of human health and environmental problems. The program is administered by EPA, which lists the most contaminated sites on the NPL. Superfund site cleanups are often expensive and lengthy. EPA funds cleanups when it cannot identify parties responsible for the contamination, or when such parties fail to act. The Trust Fund was primarily financed by revenue from Superfund taxes until they expired in 1995. In 2021, Congress began reinstating some Superfund taxes. GAO was asked to review EPA funding, expenditures, and cost recovery at nonfederal NPL sites. This report examines, among other things, (1) funding that the Trust Fund and Superfund program received; (2) amounts EPA spent at nonfederal NPL sites; and (3) the extent to which EPA has identified potentially responsible parties, recovered cleanup costs, and assessed the effectiveness of its cost recovery efforts. GAO analyzed EPA and budget data, visited Superfund sites, and interviewed EPA officials. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:15:02 -0500 /products/gao-27-107925 International Collaboration: Federal Banking Agencies Actively Participated in Standard-Setting Bodies https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-27-108190 What GAO Found The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency help develop financial standards by parti

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