Federal agencies — particularly the Defense and Homeland Security departments — must do more to improve employees’ foreign language proficiencies, the Government Accountability Office reported on Thursday.

During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia hearing, David Maurer, director of GAO’s homeland security and justice team, told lawmakers similar challenges and failures at Defense, DHS and the State Department are contributing to an ongoing lack of necessary language proficiencies.

Maurer said DHS, in particular, has failed to take a comprehensive approach to assessing the foreign language capabilities of its employees and addressing any shortfalls despite several critical GAO reports.

Maurer said for agencies to address their foreign language shortfalls, they must be able to accurately assess their existing capabilities and evaluate programs to improve those capabilities.

Neal assured lawmakers that he will incorporate departmentwide language policies and processes into DHS’ Human Capital Strategic Plan. He also pledged to work with component agencies and offices to establish a system for tracking, monitoring and reporting language skills.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said language shortfalls undermine national security, economic growth and a host of other federal priorities, and all responsible parties — federal agencies, state and local governments, the private sector and academia — must be more proactive in addressing the issue.

See: Government Executive