Government Accountability Office (GAO) Podcast: Watchdog Report

For decades, the Department of Energy has been working to clean up dangerous nuclear waste left behind by U.S. nuclear weapons production and energy research. But finding space to dispose of this waste is an obstacle. We'll get an update on DOE…

After a natural disaster, the Small Business Administration helps homeowners and businesses recover by providing loans. While this funding is important, it is not unlimited. And in some cases, survivors may have received duplicate benefits. How is…

The financial services sector is increasingly using artificial intelligence to automate services and decisions. While this could provide benefits for consumers, it also comes with some risks. We learn more about this issue from GAO's Michael…

The Department of Veterans Affairs processed about 2 million disability benefits claims in fiscal year 2023. Navigating the claims process can be difficult. And veterans may use representatives, who are accredited by the VA, to help them. But how…

Fraud in federal programs is a significant and persistent problem. Some fraud is perpetrated by private companies that obscure their ownership information when competing for government contracts or applying for other federal benefits. In a new…

About 25% of college students face food insecurity. Over the years, efforts have been made to better connect students with food assistance programs. A recent change may help identify those who qualify and connect them to SNAP. We'll get an…

Drug shortages are a serious public health concern. They can delay or limit a patient's access to effective care, with potentially dire consequences for their health. Over the summer, the Food and Drug Administration was tracking more than 100…

Increasingly, Americans are falling victim to more frequent and sophisticated scams. Technology is helping to fuel this increase. And it’s costing Americans a lot of money. We’ll learn about federal efforts to combat a growing number of scams and…

On this special episode of the Watchdog Report, we'll listen in on a conversation between GAO Director Cardell Johnson and his team, who worked on a new report that looks at some of the challenges Hurricane Hunters are facing as weather events…

Protecting federal buildings and facilities from growing threats is a big, important job. We recently tested security at some of these facilities. We learn more about our undercover investigation and findings from GAO’s Dave Marroni

Criminal organizations and terrorist groups use money laundering to carry out their crimes, including human and drug trafficking. Federal agencies work together to investigate these activities and have developed several strategies to combat these…

Artificial intelligence could be used to improve services and utilities we use every day—such as electricity, water, transportation, banking, and more. But AI could also make these systems more vulnerable to cyber threats. In a new report, we looked…

To prevent the federal government from defaulting on its debt when it neared the debt limit in 2023, Congress voted to suspend the debt ceiling through this coming January 1. With that deadline looming, the decision of how to address national debt…

The Navy maintains a fleet of large amphibious warfare ships that are primarily used for important Marine Corps missions. But the Navy has struggled to keep these ships available for operations and training. In some cases, ships have been…

There are more than a thousand facilities across the U.S. that treat, store, or dispose of various types of hazardous waste. Some of these facilities are located in areas increasingly prone to flooding, extreme weather events, or wildfires. What…

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspects drug manufacturers here and overseas to ensure the safety and quality of drug sold in the United States. But FDA paused many of its in-person inspection efforts during COVID-19 because of travel…

Early in the pandemic, the federal government prioritized swiftly distributing checks to businesses and workers to help meet the urgent needs they face because of economic disruptions. But this quick action put billions of dollars at increased risk…

When military service members and their families move to a new base, they are subject to the whims of the housing markets they enter and leave. Trying to rent or buy a home when housing markets and competition are in flux can have a significant…

Radioactive materials are commonly used for medical, industrial, or research purposes. But in the hands of terrorists, even in small amounts, they can be used to make a dirty bomb. In a new report, we looked at federal efforts to prevent radioactive…

The effects of climate change have cost the federal government and taxpayers billions of dollars. These costs will likely increase in the future, even if actions are taken to address climate change. What should the federal government be doing to…

Banks that loaned money for commercial real estate ventures may be feeling the pinch, as many offices and business spaces continue to sit vacant in the wake of COVID-19. A period of rising interest rates has added to these concerns. We talk to GAO…

People with disabilities may experience domestic violence at a rate five times higher than those without disabilities. But domestic violence centers may struggle to provide assistance to these survivors. GAO's Elizabeth Curda, an expert on…

In a new report, we found that Black girls are disciplined much more often and more harshly than other children in public schools. GAO’s Jackie Nowicki tells us more.

China is the world's largest investor in international infrastructure financing and development. Through its initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative, China has expanded its influence with other countries. And this may pose significant…

The Department of Defense maintains a stockpile of critical materials that are essential to national defense and civilian life. This stockpile includes metals like titanium, which is used to prevent corrosion of weapons, and lithium used in…