SC New York News

Congressman Langworthy and Congresswoman Houlahan have introduced the Federal Subaward Reporting System Modernization and Expansion Act to address issues of transparency and accountability in federal grant payments. Congressman Langworthy emphasized the importance of modernizing the system to prevent waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars, stating, “Too often, federal tax dollars are dispersed without adequate tracking, leading to inefficiencies and, in some cases, outright abuse.” Congresswoman Houlahan echoed this sentiment by highlighting the need to understand how federal resources reach communities, stating, “It is our responsibility as Members of Congress and good stewards of federal dollars to understand how resources reach our communities—right now, that isn’t always easy to track.”

The bipartisan bill aims to update the federal subaward reporting system to ensure accurate records and increase transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. The legislation would require the General Service Administration (GSA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Treasury to develop plans for accurate, timely, and comprehensive subaward data, reducing the opportunity for untracked or lost federal dollars. Other cosponsors of the bill include Rep. Michael Cloud, Rep. Michael Guest, Rep. Clay Higgins, Michael Lawler, Rep. Don Davis, Rep. Mike Quigley, and Rep. Bob Latta.

Support for the Federal Subaward Reporting System Modernization and Expansion Act extends beyond Congress, with organizations such as the Project on Government Oversight, National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, Taxpayers for Commonsense, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and the BullMoose Project endorsing the legislation. The Executive Director of the Project On Government Oversight, Danielle Brian, expressed enthusiasm for the bill, stating, “Americans deserve to know where their tax dollars are going, and this bill will represent an important step toward such a window into federal spending.”

The National Taxpayers Union also voiced support for the legislation, with Brandon Arnold, EVP of the organization, emphasizing the importance of transparency in federal spending. Ziven Havens, Policy Director for the Bull Moose Project, highlighted the pressing need for modernized tracking systems to ensure accountability of taxpayer funds, urging House Republicans to support increased transparency in federal grant payments.

The Federal Subaward Reporting System Modernization and Expansion Act represents a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the federal grant-making process, addressing concerns over the misuse and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.