OMB POLICY STATEMENTS
OMB Launches Web site To Track Money Flow
Office of Management and Budget launches a Web site that shows taxpayers where their dollars go and which legislators, contractors and regions get the most. The website, USASpending.gov, allows users to search by contracts and grants, contractor names, congressional districts and lawmakers. The data can be easily downloaded and used. A "wiki" function gives users a chance to suggest changes and add information. Charts and rankings show to whom and where the bulk of federal dollars go.

The site goes further than the law demands, posting information every two weeks rather than every month and providing information on whether the contracts were subject to competitive bidding.

Ultimately, the OMB plans for agencies to send information directly to the site, so it will appear in real time.

The goal is to make both the executive branch and Congress accountable for their spending decisions by allowing regular taxpayers to follow the money.