H.R.171 - Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.171, the "Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act," mandates the Department of Transportation's Inspector General to audit the use of federal funds by specific public transportation entities. The audit will cover the five fiscal years prior to the Act's enactment, focusing on funds received under various laws, including those related to COVID-19 relief. The Inspector General must then submit a report to Congress detailing the audit's findings within 180 days of the Act's enactment.
Expected Effects
This bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in how public transportation agencies utilize federal funding. It will likely lead to a detailed review of spending practices by the largest transit agencies. The report to Congress could then inform future funding decisions and potentially lead to policy changes regarding oversight of federal transportation grants.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the use of taxpayer money.
- Potential identification of inefficiencies or misuse of funds.
- Improved accountability for public transportation agencies.
- Data-driven insights for future transportation funding decisions.
- Strengthened public trust in government spending.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The audit may reveal findings that could negatively impact public perception of transit agencies.
- The cost of conducting the audit could divert resources from other important areas.
- The focus on past spending may not address current or future challenges faced by transit agencies.
- The report could be used for political purposes, potentially leading to unfair criticism of transit agencies.
- The audit is limited to the top 5 transit agencies, potentially overlooking issues in smaller agencies.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on government transparency and accountability. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, which requires a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money, supports the intent of this bill. The bill falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) as it pertains to federal funding for transportation.
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).