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Federal Agencies Doubled AI Use, Lack Systematic Lessons Learned

GAO found federal agencies more than doubled their AI use from 2023 to 2024, employing various acquisition approaches including agency-directed and vendor-driven methods. The report examined four agencies (GSA, DOD, DHS, VA) and found they were not systematically collecting lessons learned from AI acquisitions, despite OMB guidance directing agencies to share such knowledge through a GSA web repository.

GAO Recommends DOT Complete Travel Demand Study and Guidance for Telework Planning

GAO published a report finding that increased telework since 2019 has altered travel behaviors, including reduced transit ridership and shifting real estate demand. Over 90% of Metropolitan Planning Organizations want more guidance from DOT on incorporating telework into planning. Federal law directed DOT to conduct a travel demand study by November 2023, but DOT cited resource constraints and lacks a timeline for completion.

February 2026 Enforcement Actions Announced by IDFPR

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced enforcement actions signed by Acting Director of Banking Susana Soriano, Director of Financial Institutions Francisco Menchaca, Director of Professional Regulation Camile Lindsay, and Director of Real Estate Laurie Murphy during February 2025. The enforcement report covers disciplinary actions across banking, financial institutions, professional regulation, and real estate sectors. Full details are available in the February 2026 Enforcement Report PDF.

GSA Has Sold 900+ Properties, $1.4B Revenue Since 2013

The GAO published report GAO-26-107760 finding that GSA has sold over 900 unneeded federal properties since 2013, generating $1.4 billion in revenue. The report examines GSA's new accelerated property disposal approach launched in 2025 and identifies that GSA has not established specific performance goals or evaluated the effectiveness of using private brokers versus its auction website.

STEM Graduate and Postdoc Compensation and NSF Data Gaps

GAO assessed STEM graduate researcher and postdoctoral compensation using federal data and university records for academic year 2023–2025. Directly funded postdocs earned a median of $60,000 annually and indirectly funded graduate researchers earned approximately $36,000, compared to $118,000 earned by full-time workers holding doctoral degrees. GAO found that NSF, as the principal federal statistical agency for the STEM workforce, does not collect compensation data in sufficient detail to assess adequacy, and recommends the agency identify data gaps and evaluate the feasibility of collecting more comprehensive information.

Spousal Consent Requirements in Retirement Plans

The GAO issued a report finding that most defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, do not require spousal consent for participants to remove funds through loans, withdrawals, or distributions. Approximately one in ten married households with retirement accounts removed funds in 2021, typically less than 10% of their total balance. The report notes that women may be particularly vulnerable due to lower rates of individual retirement account ownership.

Treasury Borrowing Needs and Fiscal Risks

GAO published a report on Treasury's debt management practices from FY2014-2025, finding that Treasury conducted 444 auctions in FY2025 to borrow $1.9 trillion and refinance $9.1 trillion in maturing debt. The report identifies fiscal risks including projected annual deficits exceeding $2 trillion through 2036, unsustainable debt levels, and potential diminished demand for Treasury securities.

Emerging Technologies Policy Considerations for Congress

GAO published its second periodic report identifying three emerging technologies with transformative potential requiring congressional attention over the next decade: neural implants for human augmentation, general purpose robots, and orbital debris removal technologies. The report does not make recommendations but outlines policy considerations for Congress and other stakeholders to weigh as these technologies continue developing toward maturity.

Federal Funding to Crisis Pregnancy Centers

The GAO reviewed federal funding to crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) from fiscal years 2018 through 2024. The Department of Health and Human Services directly obligated at least $34 million in federal funds across 16 CPCs for reproductive health-related services. The total amount of federal funding to CPCs remains unknown due to challenges identifying these organizations in government spending data.

Senate Gift Shop FY 2024 Receipts and Disbursements Audit

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued an agreed-upon procedures audit of the Senate Gift Shop Revolving Fund's fiscal year 2024 receipts and disbursements, as requested by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. The audit reviewed daily receipts, weekly deposits, monthly reconciliations, purchasing, and invoice payment processes. GAO makes no overall conclusions, with the Secretary of the Senate providing no comments on the report.