Government Accountability Office (GAO) Podcast: Watchdog Report

Dec 18 2024 50 ep. 2.5k

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Podcast: Watchdog Report artwork

Featuring interviews with GAO officials on significant issues and new reports, the Watchdog Report is recorded, hosted, and produced by GAO staff.

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Artificial Intelligence Could Improve Critical Infrastructure Services, But It Comes with Risks

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…

As Debt Limit Deadline Looms, What is Needed to Avoid A Default and Its Potential Widespread Consequences?

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 Poor Condition of the Navy's Amphibious Fleet And Its Impacts on Marines

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…

Hundreds of Hazardous Waste Facilities May Face Risks from Climate Change

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…

Federal Efforts to Recover Overpayments of COVID-19 Relief

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…

FDA's Foreign Inspections of Drug Manufacturers Have Not Rebounded to Pre-Pandemic Levels

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…

Military Service Members and Families Struggle with Housing in Increasingly Competitive Markets

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…

Preventing A Dirty Bomb

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…

Climate Change is Costly--What can the Federal Government Do to Reduce Its Exposure?

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 with Commercial Real Estate Lending Portfolios Feel the Pinch

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…