The House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday approved two bills aimed at increasing transparency in efforts to make government spending more effective.
One measure would require federal agencies to issue guidance on the use of excess personal property, which refers to non-real estate items such as office equipment, furniture, automobiles, and specialty equipment.
Agents should consider acquiring excess personal property before purchasing new items. Beyond shipping and transportation costs, agencies generally do not have to pay for excess property from other federal agencies.
However, the Comptroller's Office reported in 2022 that out of the $32.8 billion worth of excess property reported from fiscal years 2016 to 2020, government agencies only obtained $3.9 billion worth of goods.
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said, “With better direction from Congress, government agencies can more efficiently utilize excess private wealth to meet needs.'' “This will save taxpayers money.”
The bill, which was approved 44-0, would require agency guidance to appoint staff to search available surplus property for items that may meet the agency's needs.
It would also announce that agencies will be required to submit annually the amount of excess assets they hold and direct GAO to report how often agencies acquire items manufactured by Chinese companies. .
The Senate unanimously passed a companion bill in 2023.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee also approved a bill Wednesday that would require federal agencies to annually report and explain why projects are more than five years behind schedule or more than $1 billion over budget. It passed with a vote of 0.
“Every year, [GAO] “We are reporting that government projects are exceeding cost estimates or falling behind schedule,” Comer said. “But there may be more government projects that are less visible.”
Similarly, the Senate passed a companion bill with unanimous consent in March.
