Greater Ease in Tracking Federal Spending (S. 994)

What is S. 994?

(Updated January 31, 2017)

This bill was enacted on May 9, 2014

Establishes uniform federal standards for publishing government spending data and consolidates all non-classified federal spending data on a single website. Allows anyone and everyone to track how federal dollars are spent. Data would include dollars spent on contractors, subcontractors and grant recipients. If enacted, agencies will have two years to comply to new data standards. 

Argument in favor

Makes it easy for most everyone to track federal spending. Finds and fixes wasteful programs. Private sector access to public data would allow for new ways to leverage such data, ultimately benefitting consumers.

Argument opposed

Outlines no specific format/platform for data standard. The Department of Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget are to hold joint control, which may complicate the process.

Impact

Vastly increases the public's ability to quickly and easily see how federal dollars are spent.

Cost of S. 994

The CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $300 million over the 2014-2018 period.

Additional Info

Media:

DATA Act and Federal Reform Video

Washington Post Blog