Washington, D.C. – The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has approved the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, cosponsored by Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joe Lieberman (D-CT), which would require the federal government to create and maintain a searchable website where the public can view information on how federal funds are spent.
Specifically, the bill would direct the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that a searchable public web site is established that lists federal funding awards, including grants, contracts, and loans. All transactions under $25,000 would be exempted from the reporting requirement, as well as awards that are classified.
“American taxpayers deserve greater transparency in how their tax dollars are spent, because transparency is a key element of accountability. I believe this bill will aid in making this concept a reality,” said Senator Collins.
“This proposal builds on my E-Government Act of 2002 by making government information as accessible as possible to the public,” Lieberman said. “A searchable database of billions of dollars worth of federal grants, contracts, and loans will increase transparency of federal spending, provide taxpayers with a tool to hold the government accountable, and reduce fraud.”
The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act was also approved by the Committee to ensure that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency. In addition, the Committee approved the Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act and a number of nominations and postal naming bills.
In addition, the Committee approved the following bills and nominations:
• S. 3613, to designate the facility of the USPS located at 2951 New York Highway 43 in Averill Park, New York, as the “Major George Quamo Post Office Building;”
• H.R. 4246, to designate the facility of the USPS located at 8135 Forest Lane in Dallas, Texas, as the “Dr. Robert E. Price Post Office Building;”
• H.R. 4962, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 100 Pitcher Street in Utica, New York, as the “Captain George A. Wood Post Office Building;”
• H.R. 5104, to designate the facility of the USPS located at 1750 16th Street South in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the “Morris W. Milton Post Office;”
• H.R. 5169, to designate the facility of the USPS located at 1310 Highway 64 NW in Ramsey, Indiana, as the “Wilfred Edward ‘Cousin Willie’ Sieg, Sr. Post Office;”
• H.R. 5540, to designate the facility of the USPS located at 217 Southeast 2nd Street in Dimmitt, Texas, as the “Sergeant Jacob Dan Dones Post Office;”
• S. 2555, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the “Lane Evans Post Office Building;”
• S. 2719/H.R. 5107, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1400 West Jordan Street in Pensacola, Florida, as the “Earl D. Hutto Post Office Building;”
• H.R. 4646, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 7320 Reseda Boulevard in Reseda, California, as the “Coach John Wooden Post Office Building;”
• H.R. 4811, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 215 West Industrial Park Road in Harrison, Arkansas, as the “John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Building.”
• Paul A. Denett to be Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget;
• The Honorable Anna Blackburne-Rigsby to be Associate Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals;
• Phyllis D. Thompson to be Associate Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals;
• Jennifer M. Anderson to be Associate Judge, Superior Court of the District of Columbia;
• The Honorable Mickey D. Barnett to be Governor, U.S. Postal Service;
• Katherine C. Tobin to be Governor, U.S. Postal Service;
• Ellen C. Williams to be Governor, U.S. Postal Service.
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