GAO names top issues for new administration

[unhappycamper]

GAO names top issues for new administration
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 6, 2008 11:28:56 EST

Troop and family needs, defense spending and defense readiness dominate a list of priorities identified by the Government Accountability Office as among the most pressing for the incoming Obama administration and 111th Congress.

GAO’s list of 13 “urgent issues,” unveiled Thursday, includes “caring for service members,” defense spending and readiness, “Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan” and “protecting the homeland,” as well as nonmilitary national priorities such as oversight of financial markets, preparing for health emergencies and food safety.

“With the serious challenges related to financial markets and the economy, the financial crisis facing the nation, two wars underway, and the first transition since 9/11 and the creation of a Department of Homeland Security, this is absolutely a unique time,” said acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.

As such, GAO has identified and collected recent reports on the 13 issues “to assist new appointees in every agency zero in on the challenges of that particular agency, and to help identify areas with the potential to save the nation billions of dollars,” Dodaro said.

Cost savings in defense focus on development of a comprehensive compensation strategy, developing joint medical capabilities, better planning and oversight of major weapons systems acquisition and improving competition for contracts, among other items.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/military_priorities_GAO_110608w/%2e



uhc comment: Here's the GAO web site --> http://www.gao.gov/transition_2009/