S.1991 - Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1991, the "Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act," aims to enhance transparency and reduce improper payments of federal funds. The bill mandates reporting of payment information, verification of bank account details, and data access for program integrity. It also includes provisions for privacy-preserving validation of tax information and access to social security information to improve the "Do Not Pay" system.
Expected Effects
The bill is likely to result in more detailed tracking of federal spending and a reduction in erroneous or fraudulent payments. This will be achieved through improved data sharing between agencies and enhanced verification processes. The Act also seeks to improve the efficiency of government spending by reducing waste and fraud.
Potential Benefits 4/5
- Increased Transparency: Public reporting of payment information enhances government accountability.
- Reduced Improper Payments: Verification processes and data access improvements minimize errors and fraud.
- Improved Program Integrity: Enhanced data sharing and validation strengthen the integrity of federal programs.
- More Efficient Spending: By reducing waste, the government can allocate resources more effectively.
- Better Data Utilization: Leveraging existing databases like the National Directory of New Hires and Social Security data improves payment accuracy.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Privacy Concerns: Increased data sharing raises concerns about individual privacy, despite privacy-preserving measures.
- Increased Administrative Burden: Reporting and verification requirements may increase the workload for agencies.
- Risk of Data Breaches: Centralized data systems could become targets for cyberattacks.
- Exemptions for Sensitive Operations: Broad exemptions could undermine transparency efforts.
- Implementation Costs: Setting up and maintaining new reporting and verification systems will require resources.
Constitutional Alignment 4/5
The bill's focus on government efficiency and transparency aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on promoting the general welfare (Preamble). The expansion of data access raises potential Fourth Amendment concerns regarding unreasonable searches and seizures, but the bill includes provisions intended to protect privacy. The delegation of authority to the Secretary of the Treasury to implement regulations is consistent with Congress's legislative powers (Article I, Section 8).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).