PRESS RELEASE
-For Immediate Release-
April 25, 2012

Contact: Brian Gumm, (202) 683-4812, bgumm@ombwatch.org

OMB Watch Applauds House Passage of DATA Act

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012—OMB Watch today applauded the House passage of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act, or DATA Act (H.R. 2146). The bill to strengthen the transparency of federal government spending was approved by a voice vote with strong bipartisan support.

Katherine McFate, President of OMB Watch, made the following statement:

Today's vote to pass the DATA Act represents a bipartisan congressional commitment to new levels of government openness. In the coming years, our nation will be facing tough choices about how we spend precious public dollars. The DATA Act is a critical first step toward ensuring that every citizen has the information he or she needs to understand the choices our public officials make while investing public resources. By making these choices more transparent, the DATA Act will make government more accountable to the needs and priorities of the American people.

The DATA Act requires public agencies to release more detailed and accurate information on how federal funds are being spent and on which companies and institutions actually receive public funding. The information released because of the DATA Act should inform discussions about the investments needed to ensure future growth and opportunity for all Americans while allowing us to identify potential cost savings in our contracting and procurement systems.

We want to thank the sponsors of this bill, especially Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD), and every member who voted for the DATA Act for their courageous commitment to open government and to greater government accountability.

The companion measure in the Senate, S. 1222, sponsored by Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), awaits action in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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OMB Watch is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting government accountability and effectiveness and increasing citizen engagement. Find OMB Watch on Facebook and Twitter.