AMAC Supports Bill to Increase Transparency in Federal Spending

The COST Act will increase visibility for concerned taxpayers and also opens to the door to future legislation allowing the voting public to understand where their tax dollars are going and to hold executive branch departments accountable for their spending.

May 25, 2023

The Honorable Joni Ernst
Senator for Iowa
260 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Ralph Norman
5th Congressional District of South Carolina
569 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Senator Ernst and Representative Norman,

On behalf of the 2.1 million members of AMAC, the Association of Mature American Citizens, including over 25,000 members in Iowa, and 6,700 members in SC-05, I am pleased to offer our support for S. 778 and its companion bill, H.R. 2968 together, the “Cost Openness and Spending Transparency (COST) Act.”

Your single subject bill is a model of clear legislation that speaks to the heart of transparency in government spending. Not only will this bill increase visibility for the concerned taxpayers, but it also opens to the door to future legislation allowing the voting public to understand where their tax dollars are going and to hold executive branch departments accountable for their spending.

The three required reports regarding the total cost of a program or project, the total dollar amount of federal funds made available, and the percentage of federal funds vs. outside funding are to accompany a statement made easily available to the public, along with a certification of compliance with disclosure requirements. These requirements capture the essence of government fiduciary obligation and allow a public evaluation of an agency’s taxpayer funding stewardship responsibilities.

AMAC thanks you, Senator Ernst, Representative Norman, and your cosponsors, for ushering accountability and transparency in government spending with the COST Act.

Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President
AMAC Action

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