Whether conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, few can argue with a straight face that there isn't massive waste when it comes to the federal government spending our taxpayer dollars. Government Excess: Soon You Can Find Some of It Yourself

Whether conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, few can argue with a straight face that there isn't massive waste when it comes to the federal government spending our taxpayer dollars. 

But as we've noted on several occasions, the ability for voters to track how and where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent is almost as difficult as a politician's ability to practice fiscal restraint. (We said almost.)

For example, did you know that according to the General Services Administration, the federal government subsidizes $300 billion in grants to some 30,000 organizations?  As we pointed out last month, public data on those grants "is scattered across innumerable sources," making it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.  

Such lack of transparency often results in zero accountability for Congressional appropriators and the bureaucratic agencies that ultimately cut the checks. 

Fortunately, taxpayers just scored a significant victory that will help to address this problem.

This week, President Bush signed into law the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.  Unlike too many euphemistically-titled Acts of Congress, the substance of which usually result in more harm than good, this is one of those rare pieces of legislation that will actually accomplish, well, federal funding accountability and transparency.

Specifically, the Act provides for the full disclosure of all entities and organizations receiving federal funds -- including the amounts they receive -- on a website available to the public and maintained by the Office of Management and Budget beginning in fiscal year 2007.

This one-stop, online clearinghouse will arm taxpayers with the tools necessary to demand accountability from the federal budget process and the programs it supports.  In turn, it should force politicians to be more attuned to the spending priorities of their constituents, rather than continuing to act as fiscal rubber stamps on every wacky study and ineffective program that do nothing but curry political favors at taxpayers' expense.

It is no secret that the American people are fed up with the inability of this Congress to get any substantive work done.  But for those Members facing re-election, particularly those in the Senate, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 is at least something positive they can point to as they beg for your vote between now and November.

If only they had secured the borders, made permanent the tax cuts, reduced America's dependence on foreign oil, protected people's homes from government seizure, stood up to the United Nations by confirming Ambassador John Bolton,  passed the Line-Item Veto,  ensured fair up-or-down votes on all of the President's judicial nominees...

If only they had done half of those things.

September 28, 2006
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