News ● U.S. House of Representatives 

National Security Oversight Subcommittee

Congressman John Tierney, Chairman

September 17, 2010

Kathryn Prael, 202-226-8613

                (c) 202-641-1387

Chairman Tierney Comments on GAO’s Report on

Challenges to GPS Capabilities

Washington, DC - Congressman John F. Tierney, Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, made the following statement in response to the release of the Government Accountability Office report, “Global Positioning System: Challenges in Sustaining and Upgrading Capabilities Persist.” 

“I am pleased to receive the Subcommittee’s requested report from GAO on the Global Positioning System.  This new report continues the Subcommittee’s efforts to ensure that the Department of Defense and its civilian counterparts devote the resources necessary for the sustainment, improvement and interagency coordination of GPS capabilities.  Maintaining the integrity and development of our GPS capabilities is critical to our national defense, our domestic infrastructure, and the economy.  The reliability of GPS impacts everyone from our military and civilian government agencies to our first responders and taxi drivers.  Over a year ago, the Subcommittee held a hearing in response to GAO’s initial report that revealed a dangerously degraded and outdated GPS infrastructure.  While the new report documents some encouraging improvements, it also contains cause for continued diligence and concern.  Continued delays in the launching of new satellites and the coordination of new ground systems threaten the integrity and accuracy of GPS service.  These vulnerabilities in GPS performance and reliability directly undermine the capacity of first responders and military personnel to accomplish their missions.  It could put lives in danger.  Having exposed the endurance of these challenges, I look forward to working with the Defense Department and other agencies to ensure that the reliability and sustainability of our GPS infrastructure continues to improve, and that is receives the resources and attention worthy of those who depend on it.”

The entire report can be found here.