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Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the inclusion of language in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill to increase transparency in the federal government. The language directs that all unclassified vendor contracts and grant awards from federal agencies be posted publicly on USAspending.gov, and that OMB ensure the consistency of information on the website.

“I secured these provisions to increase transparency, good governance, and smart spending,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This money belongs to the American people, and they deserve to know exactly how and where it is being spent. These online tools will help hold their government accountable.”

The federal government distributes billions of taxpayer dollars each year to state and local governments in the form of grants. Those state and local governments, in turn, distribute funds to organizations or companies (vendors) for projects in their communities. For example, every county in Congressman Cuellar’s district – Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, McMullen, Atascosa, La Salle, Wilson, and Bexar – has received some federal grant funding in the last five years.

That money does a lot of good, helping with everything from educational programs to infrastructure projects. However, until now, tracking where all those billions of dollars end up has been challenging and complicated – especially if they were distributed in smaller amounts.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) originally created USAspending.gov to display spending of more than $25,000. The Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service administers the website. Thanks to Congressman Cuellar, as well as the DATA Act, they will now address some inconsistencies in reporting and display all grants.

Other measures that would enhance government operations and transparency include:

• Language requesting the U.S. Secret Service to report to Congress on matters relating to counterfeiting and computer-based crimes;
• Language encouraging DHS Science and Technology Directorate to continue development of secure computer software;
• Language reminding CBP to take into account the impact of donations to nearby ports of entry;
• Language urging DHS to provide public access to federally funded research
• Language encouraging FEMA to include performance measures for Operation Stonegarden, a program that supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among CBP, US Border Patrol, and local, Tribal, territorial, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies;
• Language reminding federal employees that they shall place ethical principles about private gain and remain impartial when administering government program;
• Language encouraging OMB to develop a central online repository where all Federal agency budgets and justifications are publicly available and accessible; and
• Language encouraging OMB to continue working with agencies to eliminate payments to deceased person. 

Congressman Cuellar is member of the Blue Dog Democrats, a coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats committed to the financial stability of the United States. Throughout his time in Congress, especially in his role on the Appropriations Committee, he has been a fierce proponent of good governance and transparency in federal spending.