H.R.2069 - Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2069, the Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025, aims to amend the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. The primary goal is to ensure that other transaction agreements (OTAs) are reported to USAspending.gov, enhancing transparency in federal spending. The bill also mandates annual reports on unreported federal funding and requires the Secretary of the Treasury to develop data standards for OTA reporting.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased transparency and accountability in federal spending, particularly concerning OTAs. It will require federal agencies to report data on OTAs to USAspending.gov, providing a more complete picture of how federal funds are being utilized. The annual reports on unreported funding will also highlight areas where spending data is lacking and the reasons for non-reporting.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government spending through the reporting of OTAs.
- Improved accountability of federal agencies in managing and reporting funds.
- Enhanced public access to information about how taxpayer money is being spent.
- Identification of areas where federal spending data is incomplete or missing.
- Better oversight of federal spending by Congress and the public.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential administrative burden on federal agencies to comply with the new reporting requirements.
- Possible delays in the implementation of the reporting system due to the three-year timeline for data standards development.
- Risk that some agencies may attempt to classify spending as national security-related to avoid reporting requirements.
- The cost of implementing and maintaining the new reporting system.
- Potential for inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the reported data despite the quality control measures.
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 power of the purse vested in Congress (Article I, Section 9, Clause 7). By promoting transparency in federal spending, the bill enables Congress and the public to better oversee the executive branch's use of taxpayer money, ensuring that funds are spent in accordance with the law and the public interest. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
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).