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S 872

Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Joni Ernst and 5 co-sponsors

The Stop Secret Spending Act mandates public reporting of federal spending on other transaction agreements, boosting transparency and accountability for taxpayers.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 872

Summary of S. 872 - Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025

Overview

The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 (S. 872) aims to enhance transparency in federal spending by amending the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. The primary focus of the bill is to ensure that other transaction agreements (OTAs) are reported on USAspending.gov, a federal website that tracks government spending.

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to eliminate "secret spending" by requiring that all OTAs, which are often used for research and development contracts, be publicly disclosed. This initiative is intended to increase accountability and transparency in government spending, allowing taxpayers and oversight bodies to better understand how federal funds are allocated.

Key Provisions

  1. Reporting Requirements:

    • The bill amends Section 2(a) of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act to include OTAs in the reporting requirements for federal spending.
    • It mandates that data related to OTAs be automatically transmitted to USAspending.gov.

  2. Data Standards:

    • The Secretary of the Treasury is required to ensure that a centralized view of OTA data is available on USAspending.gov within three years of the bill's enactment.

  3. Annual Reporting:

    • An annual report must be posted on USAspending.gov detailing the total amount of federal spending for which data has not been reported, along with reasons for non-reporting (e.g., national security concerns).

  4. Implementation Timeline:

    • If the Secretary does not comply with the reporting requirements within one year, a detailed report of all OTAs must be published.
    • A plan for full compliance must be submitted to Congress if the requirements are not met within two years.

  5. Inspector General Oversight:

    • The bill enhances the role of agency inspectors general by requiring them to submit reports on OTA compliance to Congress at least every two years for a decade.

Affected Parties

  • Federal Agencies: Agencies that enter into OTAs will be directly impacted as they will need to comply with the new reporting requirements.
  • Taxpayers and Oversight Bodies: Increased transparency will benefit taxpayers and watchdog organizations by providing clearer insights into federal spending practices.

Legislative Status

  • Introduced: March 5, 2025
  • Committee Action: Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on November 7, 2025, with amendments. The bill is currently placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar (Calendar No. 265).
  • Related Legislation: The bill has a companion in the House, HR 2069.

Conclusion

The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 represents a significant step towards greater transparency in federal spending, particularly concerning OTAs. By mandating public reporting and oversight, the bill aims to foster accountability in how taxpayer dollars are utilized.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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