S. 2177 would change how information about federal programs is provided online. The legislation would require that specific information about each program administered by a federal agency be available to the public on a website operated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). That information would include:
Expenditure data for three fiscal years,
Any performance reviews of the program,
Statutes authorizing the program,
Major regulations related to the program, and
Any federal assistance provided by the program.
Under S. 2177, OMB would have 180 days to develop an initial plan and begin a pilot program to post the necessary information; OMB would need to implement the entire program within four years of enactment. The Government Accountability Office would report to the Congress on the program’s implementation and all posted information would be archived by OMB.
Under current law, agencies regularly produce information on program management, budgets, strategic plans, and annual performance. For example, USASpending.gov links to Congressional budget justifications for many federal agencies. The Government Performance and Results Act requires agencies to describe every program they administer to the public and the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 requires agencies to make information on all federal spending accessible and transparent to the public.
