Priority Open Recommendations: Department of State
| Report Type |
Reports and Testimonies |
| Report Date |
May 26, 2021 |
| Release Date |
May 26, 2021 |
| Report No. |
GAO-21-457PR |
Summary:
What GAO Found
In April 2020, GAO identified 12 priority recommendations for the Department of State. Since then, State has implemented 3 of those recommendations by, among other things, taking actions to improve embassy construction planning and agency reform efforts.
In May 2021, GAO identified 2 additional priority recommendations for State, bringing the total number to 11. These recommendations involve the following areas:
improving the security assistance vetting process;
improving data quality;
improving workforce management;
improving embassy construction planning;
improving cybersecurity;
complying with congressional reporting requirements.
State’s continued attention to these issues could lead to significant improvements in its operations.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits. Since 2015 GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
For more information, contact Thomas Melito at (202) 512-9601 or melitot@gao.gov.
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