Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.1387 - Cost Openness and Spending Transparency Act of 2025; COST Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.1387, the Cost Openness and Spending Transparency Act of 2025 (COST Act), aims to increase transparency in the use of federal funds. It mandates that agencies and entities receiving federal funds disclose the percentage and dollar amount of federal funding for programs, projects, and activities in public communications. The bill also requires certification of compliance with these disclosure requirements and establishes a mechanism for public reporting of non-compliant communications.

Expected Effects

The COST Act would likely lead to greater public awareness of how federal funds are being utilized. This increased transparency could foster more informed public discourse and potentially improve government accountability. It may also lead to more efficient allocation of resources as agencies become more conscious of public scrutiny.

Potential Benefits

  • Increased transparency in government spending.
  • Greater accountability for agencies and recipients of federal funds.
  • More informed public discourse on government programs and projects.
  • Potential for more efficient allocation of resources.
  • Public can anonymously report non-compliant communications.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential administrative burden on agencies and recipients of federal funds to comply with the disclosure requirements.
  • Possible increase in paperwork and reporting requirements.
  • Risk of misinterpretation or misuse of the disclosed information.
  • Costs associated with implementing and maintaining the public reporting mechanism.
  • Could lead to political grandstanding or misrepresentation of data.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill aligns with the principles of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's emphasis on representative government and the right of the people to be informed. While the Constitution does not explicitly mandate such disclosure requirements, the bill supports the overall framework of an informed electorate. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and the press, and this bill could be seen as enhancing the public's access to information, thereby facilitating more informed speech and debate.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).