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Protecting the U.S. Perimeter: Border Searches Under the Fourth Amendment

Description: This report first outlines the statutes authorizing certain federal officers to conduct warrantless searches. It then addresses the scope of the government's constitutional authority to search and seize persons and property at the border. It also describes the varying levels of suspicion generally required for each type of border search as interpreted by the courts. Finally, this report lists several bills before the 111th Congress that address border searches. This report does not address inte… more
Date: June 29, 2009
Creator: Kim, Yule
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes the Future Combat System (FCS) program, which was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems linked by an extensive communications and information network. This report describes the proposed restructuring of the FCS program, announced by Secretary of Defense Gates in April 2009, which includes modernizing outdated equipment and re-evaluating vehicle design strategy. This report will be superseded by a … more
Date: May 29, 2009
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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School Facilities: Physical Conditions in School Districts Receiving Impact Aid for Students Residing on Indian Lands

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "State and local governments spend billions of dollars annually on the construction, renovation, and maintenance of public school facilities, yet concerns persist about the condition of some school facilities, particularly in school districts serving students residing on Indian lands. The Department of Education's (Education) Impact Aid Program provides funding to school districts that are adversely impa… more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Insurance Sales to Military Personnnel: Additional Actions Needed to Prevent Improper Life Insurance Sales and Pay Allotment Transactions

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Concerns over unsuitable insurance products and inappropriate sales practices directed at servicemembers have prompted legislative and regulatory changes to address these concerns. Congress asked GAO to assess oversight efforts by the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and state insurance regulators. In this report, GAO (1) describes actions to impro… more
Date: May 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Crop Insurance: Opportunities Exist to Reduce the Costs of Administering the Program

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the federal crop insurance program with private insurance companies, which, in turn, work with insurance agencies that sell crop insurance. In 2008, according to USDA, the program cost $6.5 billion, including about $2.0 billion in allowances to insurance companies to cover their administrative and operating (A&O) expenses, such as salaries and sales … more
Date: April 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Small Business Administration: Additional Steps Should Be Taken to Address Reforms to the Disaster Loan Program and Improve the Application Process for Future Disasters

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "After the Small Business Administration (SBA) was widely criticized for its performance following the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, the agency took steps to reform the Disaster Loan Program and Congress enacted the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008 (Act). GAO was asked to determine (1) the extent to which SBA addressed the Act's requirements, and (2) how SBA's response to … more
Date: July 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Traumatic Brain Injury: Better DOD and VA Oversight Can Help Ensure More Accurate, Consistent, and Timely Decisions for the Traumatic Injury Insurance Program

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In 2005, Congress created a traumatic injury insurance benefit program, known as TSGLI, to help servicemembers with traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries with the financial burdens that they and their families face. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the program, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DOD), while the branches of service are responsible for deciding… more
Date: January 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

Description: This report outlines the severe challenges faced by Tajikistan since its five-year civil war ended in 1997, including such problems as deep poverty and poor governance. The report discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, updated regularly.
Date: July 29, 2009
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Contracting: Guidance on Award Fees Has Led to Better Practices but Is Not Consistently Applied

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In prior work, GAO found that contractors were paid billions of dollars in award fees regardless of acquisition outcomes. In December 2007, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance aimed at improving the use of award fee contracts. GAO was asked to (1) identify agencies' actions to revise or develop award fee policies and guidance to reflect OMB guidance, (2) assess the consistency of c… more
Date: May 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Clean Water Infrastructure: A Variety of Issues Need to Be Considered When Designing a Clean Water Trust Fund

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that a potential gap between future needs and current spending for wastewater infrastructure of $150 billion to $400 billion could occur over the next decade. A number of entities are involved in planning, financing, building, and operating this infrastructure. Some of these stakeholders have suggested a variety of approaches to bridge this potenti… more
Date: May 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Financial Audit: Senate Restaurants Revolving Fund for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2007

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "This report discusses audits of the financial statements of the U.S. Senate Restaurants Revolving Fund (the Fund) for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, and 2007. Specifically, we contracted with the independent public accounting firm of Clifton Gunderson LLP. The contract required that the audit be conducted in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards and the joint … more
Date: May 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Reverse Mortgages: Product Complexity and Consumer Protection Issues Underscore Need for Improved Controls over Counseling for Borrowers

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Reverse mortgages--a type of loan against the borrower's home that is available to seniors--are growing in popularity. However, concerns have emerged about the adequacy of consumer protections for this product. Most reverse mortgages are made under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. HUD insures the mortgages, which are made by private … more
Date: June 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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English Language Learning: Diverse Federal and State Efforts to Support Adult English Language Learning Could Benefit from More Coordination

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Millions of adults in the U.S. report that they speak limited English, and English language ability appears linked to multiple dimensions of adult life, such as civic participation and workforce participation and mobility. GAO examined (1) the trends in the need for and enrollment in federally funded adult English language programs, (2) the nature of federal support for adult English language learning, … more
Date: July 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Defense Acquisitions: Challenges in Aligning Space System Components

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) expects to spend more than $50 billion to develop and procure eight major space systems. Typically, the systems have two main components: satellites and ground control systems. Some also have a third component--user terminals--that can allow access from remote locations. If the delivery of these three components is not synchronized, there can be delays in providing full c… more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Student Aid: Highlights of a Study Group on Simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Federal student aid is intended to play an integral part in fulfilling the promise of greater academic access and success for less affluent students. However, many experts have expressed concern about the length and complexity of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the statutory need analysis formula used to determine aid eligibility. The Higher Education Opportunity Act required GA… more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Formerly Used Defense Sites: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Needs to Improve Its Process for Reviewing Completed Cleanup Remedies to Ensure Continued Protection

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) estimates that cleaning up known hazards at the over 4,700 formerly used defense sites (FUDS)--sites transferred to other owners before October 1986--will require more than 50 years and cost about $18 billion. This estimate excludes any additional needed cleanup of emerging contaminants--generally, those not yet governed by a health standard. DOD delegated FUDS cleanup re… more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Ryan White CARE Act: Health Resources and Services Administration's Implementation of Certain Provisions Hampered by Lack of Timely and Accurate Information

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Under the CARE Act, funds are made available to assist over 530,000 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Grantees directly provide services to individuals (clients) or arrange with service providers to do so. The Department of Health and Human Services's (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which administers CARE Act programs, is required to cancel balances of grants that are unoblig… more
Date: September 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Dietary Supplements: FDA Should Take Further Actions to Improve Oversight and Consumer Understanding

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Dietary supplements and foods with added dietary ingredients, such as vitamins and herbs, constitute multibillion dollar industries. Past reports on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulation of these products raised concerns about product safety and the availability of reliable information. Since then, FDA published draft guidance on requirements for reporting adverse events--which are harmful… more
Date: January 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Home Mortgage Interest Deduction: Despite Challenges Presented by Complex Tax Rules, IRS Could Enhance Enforcement and Guidance

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The home mortgage interest deduction is the third most expensive federal income tax expenditure, with the government expected to forgo about $80 billion of revenue for the deduction in 2009.1 Subject to various limitations, taxpayers may deduct interest on home-secured loans, such as mortgages, mortgage refinancings, and home equity loans, including those taken as lump sum amounts and home equity lines … more
Date: July 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Transportation: Federal Project Approval Process Remains a Barrier to Greater Private Sector Role and DOT Could Enhance Efforts to Assist Project Sponsors

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "As demand for transit and competition for available federal funding increases, transit project sponsors are increasingly looking to alternative approaches, such as public-private partnerships, to deliver and finance new, large-scale public transit projects more quickly and at reduced costs. GAO reviewed (1) the role of the private sector in U.S. public transit projects as compared to international proje… more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Performance Measurement Would Strengthen Accountability and Enhance Awareness among Potential Claimants

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In 1976, Congress established the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program, which is administered by the Department of Justice (Justice) and provides lump-sum payments to eligible public safety officers and their survivors after a line-of-duty death or permanent and total disability. The program also provides educational benefits to an eligible officer's spouse and children. GAO was asked to dete… more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Career and Technical Education: States Have Broad Flexibility in Implementing Perkins IV

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) supports career and technical education (CTE) in high schools and postsecondary institutions, such as community colleges. Perkins IV established student performance measures at the secondary and postsecondary levels for state agencies, such as state educational agencies, and local recipients, such as school districts, eligible t… more
Date: July 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Warfighter Support: Actions Needed to Improve Visibility and Coordination of DOD's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Efforts

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Prior to the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization's (JIEDDO) establishment in 2006, no single entity was responsible for coordinating the Department of Defense's (DOD) counter improvised explosive device (IED) efforts. JIEDDO was established to coordinate and focus all counter-IED efforts, including ongoing research and development, throughout DOD. This report, which is one in a series … more
Date: October 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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International Food Assistance: Local and Regional Procurement Can Enhance the Efficiency of U.S. Food Aid, but Challenges May Constrain Its Implementation

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "While the U.S. approach of providing in-kind food aid has assisted millions of hungry people for more than 50 years, in 2007 GAO reported limitations to its efficiency and effectiveness. To improve U.S. food assistance, Congress has authorized some funding for local and regional procurement (LRP)--donors' purchase of food aid in countries affected by food crises or in a country within the same region. T… more
Date: May 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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