Barry Moore

Madam Speaker, Reasoning · 25 wordsthe American people work hard for every dollar they send to Washington, and they deserve to know how every one of those dollars is spent. Claims · 45 wordsThat is the simple principle behind the Stop Secret Spending Act. Federal agencies have been able to spend billions of taxpayer dollars through what are known as other transaction agreements, ¹or OTAs, without fully reporting those expenditures on usaspending.gov.² These agreements may have legitimate uses, Reasoning · 17 wordsbut the American people should not have to wonder whether Federal spending is being disclosed or not. Claims · 12 wordsWhen our national debt is approaching $40 trillion, transparency is not optional.³ Reasoning · 4 wordsIt is a responsibility. Claims · 76 wordsThis bill closes a loophole that has allowed significant amounts of Federal spending to remain outside the public reporting system. It does not ban OTAs.⁴ It does not create unnecessary red tape. It simply requires the agencies to report these agreements so taxpayers can see where their money is going. Every family in Alabama knows where their money is spent. Farmers know where they money is spent. Small business owners know where their money is spent. Reasoning · 41 wordsThe Federal Government should be held to that same standard. Sunlight is one of the best safeguards against waste, fraud, and abuse. Transparency helps Congress do its job. It helps taxpayers hold Washington accountable, and it helps restore trust in government. Positioning · 18 wordsThat is common sense. That is accountability. That is exactly what the American people expect from their government.Positioning Madam Speaker, The ask · 11 wordsI urge our colleagues to support the Stop Secret Spending Act.