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Press Release Published: May 22, 2013

Oversight Committee Approves Bipartisan DATA Act

WASHINGTON – Today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee adopted several bills aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability at a full committee business meeting.
 
The Committee approved H.R. 2061, the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2013 (DATA), which was introduced on a bipartisan basis by Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings, D-Md. The DATA Act will make federal spending data publically available and easily accessible, as well as establish government-wide financial data standards. It will also improve the management and comprehensiveness of USASpending.gov by placing it under the control of the Treasury Department.
 
“The DATA Act is a significant step toward a more open, and thus more accountable, government,” said Chairman Issa. “Americans have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and I believe more transparency will lead to less waste, fraud, and abuse of federal funds.”   
 
The DATA Act was approved by voice vote with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment, offered by Chairman Issa, would give the Administration the option to expand the requirements in the consolidated reporting pilot to all federal funds after three years, subject to the discretion of the Office of Management and Budget director.
 
The Committee also reported the following bills by voice vote:
 

 

 

 

  • H.R. 1171, the FOR VETS Act of 2013, introduced by Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Mich. H.R. 1171 permits veteran service organizations to obtain surplus federal personal property – such as electronic equipment and vehicles – to better provide services for our Nation’s veterans.