The Government Accountability Office reiterated its recommendation that Congress create a sustainable fiscal plan in order to prevent public debt from surpassing gross domestic product.

The government watchdog on Monday released its annual fiscal health report, which showed a $1.4 trillion federal budget deficit in fiscal year 2022, the fourth largest in U.S. history.

Federal debt held by the American public in 2022 totaled $24.2 trillion, $2 trillion higher than the previous year. It is projected to be equivalent to 105 percent of the GDP in 10 years, and more than 200 percent of the GDP by 2051.

GAO urged Congress to adhere to its recommended fiscal plan components to address fiscal sustainability. The agency called for improvements in rules and debt-to-GDP targets, as well as a regular assessment of primary deficit drivers.

Lawmakers should also develop alternatives to debt limit approaches, such as giving the Department of the Treasury authorization to propose borrowing limit changes, GAO said. 

The U.S. Marine Corps has formally activated the Marine Innovation Unit at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced technology and warfighting capabilities.

The activation of the Marine Innovation Unit, part of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, is in accordance with the 38th Commandant’s Planning Guidance and Force Design 2030, which provides a strategic direction for talent management, education and training and command and leadership, the service branch said Friday.

The unit brings together the existing Marine workforce and professionals from various career fields to work on achieving some of Force Design 2030’s objectives and initiatives.

“MIU exists to act as a strategic connector between industry and the entire Marine Corps. Our Marines are eager to provide that critical capability and enable success for our customers throughout the Total Force,” said Col. Matthew Swindle, commanding officer of MIU.

According to its website, the MIU has four branches focused on advanced capabilities, commercial engagement, defense engagement and technology innovation.

Avril Haines, director of national intelligence and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, said a new organization within her office oversees the intelligence community’s efforts to counter threats posed by foreign actors seeking to influence the U.S. government, The Intercept reported Friday.

Established in September 2022, the Foreign Malign Influence Center is charged with countering foreign disinformation that compromises U.S. election security and might sway the general public’s opinion.

The office uses all elements of the intelligence community, including departments and agencies with diplomatic and law enforcement functions, to combat disinformation campaigns.

“It encompasses our election threat work, essentially looking at foreign influence and interference in elections, but it also deals with disinformation more generally,” Haines told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Haines added that the FMIC is also analyzing intelligence from other foreign adversaries besides Russia to help inform interagency efforts against foreign malign influence.

“What we have been doing is effectively trying to support the Global Engagement Center and others throughout the U.S. government in helping them to understand what are the plans and intentions of the key actors in this space: China, Russia, Iran, etc.,” Haines said.