Medicare is the largest spending area for the U.S. government and the biggest federal health program. Due to its immense size, there are risks of fraud. We'll s…
Any new tobacco product must first be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it can be sold in the United States. Despite this requirement, t…
For nearly two decades, the U.S. Government Accountability Office was led by Gene L. Dodaro, an auditor who rose through the ranks of the agency and was sworn i…
Before Congress makes difficult policy decisions, it often turns to the GAO for information. This episode explores some of the toughest questions Congress has a…
In some parts of the United States, growing populations and prolonged droughts are putting a strain on water supplies. Large-scale water recycling could offer t…
Thousands of Americans die each year due to overdoses on illicit synthetic drugs, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Transnational criminal organization…
The U.S. Postal Service, a quintessential American institution, has faced significant financial challenges over the past 20 years or so due to rising costs and …
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for overseeing the safety of medical devices sold in the U.S. and issuing recalls when they're found to be…
In the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, the United States and its allies responded with wide-ranging sanctions and export controls on Russia. What impact have t…
The U.S.'s defense budget accounts for about half of all federal discretionary spending. Nevertheless, there are billions of dollars in "unfunded priorities" th…
On this special episode of the podcast, we sit down with GAO's Chief Quality Officer Tim Bowling to discuss how GAO protects our fact-based, nonpartisan reputat…
On this special episode of the podcast, we sit down with GAO’s Managing Director of Congressional Relations Nikki Clowers to discuss how GAO serves Congress.…
Each year, the federal government spends over $100 billion on IT systems and cyber-related investments. Approximately 80% of this funding is allocated to operat…
The IRS has a long-standing goal of improving its taxpayer services and experiences. But many Americans still struggle to connect with the IRS or report having …
NASA plans to invest billions this year on major projects, including those that would return American astronauts to the moon. For our annual report on NASA. We …
Cars, trucks, and other vehicles are a significant source of emissions that have severe impacts on air quality and human health. One study estimates that these …
Under harsh conflict conditions, Ukrainians have struggled to operate nuclear power plants and to secure nuclear and radioactive materials from potentially fall…
The U.S. Army is shifting its focus from counterinsurgency-style warfare to large-scale combat operations. And with this shift comes an urgent need for artiller…
This transition from military to civilian life can be difficult for many. Suicide rates among veterans are about 2.5 times higher during that first year of sepa…
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. B…
Following a natural disaster, the Small Business Administration aids homeowners and businesses in recovery by offering loans. While this funding is crucial, it …
The financial services sector is increasingly employing artificial intelligence to automate services and decisions. While this could offer advantages for consum…
The Department of Veterans Affairs processed approximately 2 million disability benefits claims in fiscal year 2023. Navigating the claims process can be challe…
Fraud in federal programs remains a significant and persistent issue. Some fraud is committed by private companies that obscure their ownership information when…