GAO-25-107743
Background.
The federal government is one of the world’s largest and most complex entities. About $6.8 trillion in outlays in fiscal year 2024 funded a broad array of programs and operations. GAO’s High-Risk Series identifies government operations with serious vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or in need of transformation.
This biennial update describes the status of high-risk areas, outlines actions that are needed to assure further progress, and identifies a new high-risk area needing attention by the executive branch and Congress.
GAO uses five criteria to assess progress in addressing high-risk areas: (1) leadership commitment; (2) agency capacity; (3) an action plan; (4) monitoring efforts; and (5) demonstrated progress. Ratings are based on analysis of actions taken up to the end of the 118th Congress.
Efforts to address high-risk issues have contributed to hundreds of billions of dollars saved. Over the past 19 years (fiscal years 2006-2024), these financial benefits totaled nearly $759 billion or an average of $40 billion per year.
Recommendations
Executive branch agencies need to address thousands of open GAO recommendations to bring about lasting solutions to the 38 high-risk areas.
Continued congressional oversight is essential to achieve greater progress and legislation is needed in some cases. Congress also should consider requiring that interagency groups formed to address these challenges use leading practices for collaboration.
Not Yet a Premium Partner/Sponsor? Learn more about the OS AI Premium Corporate and Individual Plans here. Plans start at $295 annually.