GAO Reports

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan government agency within the legislative branch that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services for the United States Congress.

The following reports and publications deal with the Compact of Free Association and specifically the FAS States of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands:

1970s

Educational Programs in the Public Schools of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (092764, February 9, 1970) https://www.gao.gov/products/092764

Improvements Needed in Financial Management System of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (B-114888, June 26, 1970) https://www.gao.gov/products/b-114888-0

Compensating Micronesian World War II Claims: Controversial Awards of Claims and Difficulties Distributing Payments (ID-77-62, March 7, 1978) https://www.gao.gov/products/id-77-62

1980s

The Challenge of Enhancing Micronesian Self-Sufficiency (ID-83-1, January 25, 1983) https://www.gao.gov/products/ID-83-1

Issues Affecting U.S. Territory and Insular Policy (NSIAD-85-44, Feburary 7, 1985) https://www.gao.gov/products/nsiad-85-44

U.S. Trust Territory: Issues Associated With Palau's Transition to Self-Government (NSIAD-89-182S, July 19, 1989) https://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-89-182S

U.S. Trust Territory: Issues Associated With Palau's Transition to Self-Government (NSIAD-89-182, July 19, 1989) https://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-89-182

1990s

Marshall Islands: Status of the Nuclear Claims Trust Fund (NSIAD-92-229, Sept. 25, 1992) https://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-92-229

2000s

Foreign Relations: Better Accountability Needed Over U.S. Assistance to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands (GAO/RCED-00-67, May 31, 2000, report to the Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations, and a Senate requester) https://www.gao.gov/products/RCED-00-67

Foreign Assistance: U.S. Funds to Two Micronesian Nations Had Little Impact on Economic Development and Accountability Over Funds Was Limited (T-NSIAD/RCED-00-227, June 28, 2000, testimony before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations) https://www.gao.gov/products/T-NSIAD/RCED-00-227

Foreign Assistance: U.S. Funds to Two Micronesian Nations Had Little Impact on Economic Development (GAO/NSIAD-00-216, Sept. 21, 2000, report to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations) https://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-00-216

Foreign Assistance: Lessons Learned From Donors’ Experiences in the Pacific Region (GAO-01-808, Aug. 17, 2001, report to the Chair of the House Committee on Resources, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on International Relations, the Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations, and a House requester) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-01-808

Foreign Relations: Migration From Micronesian Nations Has Had Significant Impact on Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (GAO-02-40, Oct. 5, 2001, report to the Chair of the House Committee on Resources, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on International Relations, the Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations, and a House requester) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-02-40

Compact of Free Association: Negotiations Should Address Aid Effectiveness and Accountability and Migrants' Impact on U.S. Areas (GAO-02-270T, Dec. 6, 2001 testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-02-270T

Foreign Relations: Kwajalein Atoll Is the Key U.S. Defense Interest in Two Micronesian Nations (GAO-02-119, Jan. 22, 2002, report to the to the Chair of the House Committee on Resources, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on International Relations, the Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations, and a House requester) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-02-119

Foreign Assistance: Effectiveness and Accountability Problems Common in U.S. Programs to Assist Two Micronesian Nations (GAO-02-70, Jan. 22, 2002, report to the Chair of the House Committee on Resources, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on International Relations, the Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations, and a House requester) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-02-70

Compact of Free Association: An Assessment of Current U.S. Proposals to Extend Assistance ](GAO-02-857T, July 17, 2002, testimony before the House Committee on Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-02-857T

Compact of Free Association: An Assessment of Amended Compacts and Related Agreements (GAO-03-890T, June 18, 2003 testimony before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-03-890T

Compact of Free Association: An Assessment of the Amended Compacts and Related Agreements (GAO-03-988T, July 10, 2003 testimony before the House Committee on Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-03-988T

Compact of Free Association: An Assessment of the Amended Compacts and Related Agreements (GAO-03-1007T, July 15, 2003, testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-03-1007T

Compact of Free Association: Single Audits Demonstrate Accountability Problems over Compact Funds (GAO-04-7, Oct. 7, 2003, report to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on International Relations and the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on International Relations, and a House requester) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-04-7

Compacts of Free Association: Implementation of New Funding and Accountability Requirements Is Well Underway, but Planning Challenges Remain (GAO-05-633, July 11, 2005, report to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-05-633

Compacts of Free Association: Development Prospects Remain Limited for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands (GAO-06-590, June 27, 2006, report to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the House Committee on Resources, and the House Committee on International Relations) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-06-590

Compacts of Free Association: Micronesia and the Marshall Islands Face Challenges in Planning for Sustainability, Measuring Progress, and Ensuring Accountability (GAO-07-163, December 15, 2006, report to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the House Committee on Resources, and the House Committee on International Relations) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-163

Compacts of Free Association: Micronesia's and the Marshall Islands' Use of Sector Grants (GAO-07-514R, May 25, 2007, report to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-514R

Compacts of Free Association: Trust Funds for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands May Not Provide Sustainable Income (GAO-07-513, June 15, 2007, report to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-513

Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals (GAO-07-1115T, July 24, 2007, testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-1115T

Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals (GAO-07-1125T, July 25, 2007, testimony before the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-1125T

Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals (GAO-07-1258T, Sept. 25, 2007, testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-07-1258T

Compact of Free Association: Palau's Use of and Accountability for U.S. Assistance and Prospects for Economic Self-Sufficiency (GAO-08-732, June 10, 2008, report to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs of the House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732

Compact of Free Association: Micronesia Faces Challenges to Achieving Compact Goals (GAO-08-859T, June 10, 2008 testimony before the Insular Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-859T

Compact of Free Association: U.S. Assistance to Palau, Accountability Over Assistance Provided, and Palau's Prospects For Economic Self-Sufficiency (GAO-08-858T, June 12, 2008, testimony before the Insular Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-858T

2010s

Compact of Free Association: Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau and Its Likely Impact (GAO-11-559T June 16, 2011, testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-559T

Compacts of Free Association: Improvements Needed to Assess and Address Growing Migration (GAO-12-64, November 14, 2011, report to the Ranking Members of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs of the House Committee on Natural Resources and House and Senate requesters) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-64

Compact of Free Association: Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau for Fiscal Years 2011-2024 (GAO-12-249T, November 30, 2011, testimony before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-249T

Compact of Free Association: Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau through Fiscal Year 2024 (GAO-12-798T, September 10, 2012, testimony before the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs of the House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-798T

Compacts of Free Association: Guidelines Needed to Support Reliable Estimates of Cost Impacts of Growing Migration (GAO-13-773T, July 11, 2013, statement for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-773T

Compacts of Free Association: Micronesia and the Marshall Islands Continue to Face Challenges Measuring Progress and Ensuring Accountability (GAO-13-675, September 20, 2013, report to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-675

Compacts of Free Association: Actions Needed to Improve Oversight and Accountability of U.S. Assistance to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands (GAO-14-243T, January 7, 2014, testimony before the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-243T

Compacts of Free Association: Issues Associated with Implementation in Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands (GAO-16-550T, April 5, 2016, testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/676338.pdf

Compact of Free Association: Proposed U.S. Assistance to Palau for Fiscal Years 2016 to 2024 (GAO-16-788T, July 6, 2016, testimony before the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs of the House Committee on Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-788T

Single Audit Analysis: Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (GAO-16-760SP, September 20, 2016, an E-Supplement to GAO-16-550T) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-760SP

Compacts of Free Association: Actions Needed to Prepare for the Transition of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands to Trust Fund Income (GAO-18-415, May 17, 2018, report to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-415

Climate Change: Activities of Selected Agencies to Address Potential Impact on Global Migration (GAO-19-166, Jan 17, 2019, report to Senate requesters – contains case study of the Marshall Islands) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-166

Compacts of Free Association: Trust Funds for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands Are Unlikely to Fully Replace Expiring U.S. Annual Grant Assistance (GAO-19-648T, July 23, 2019, testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-648T

Compacts of Free Association: Trust Funds for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands Are Not Likely to Fully Replace Expiring U.S. Annual Grant Assistance (GAO-19-722T, September 28, 2019, testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-722T

2020s

Compacts of Free Association: Populations in U.S. Areas Have Grown, with Varying Reported Effects (GAO-20-491, June 15, 2020, report to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-491

Compacts of Free Association: Implications of Planned Ending of Some U.S. Economic Assistance (GAO-22-104436, February 14, 2022, report to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104436

Freely Associated States: Agencies Should Enhance Procedures to Address Millions of Dollars in Questionable Spending (GAO-23-106160, September 27, 2023, report to Congressional Requesters) https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106160