House Passes Issa's Data Transparency Bill to Aid Citizen Watchdogs

The House of Representatives on Friday overwhelmingly approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa that sets standards for reporting federal spending and making information available for citizen watchdogs to review.

The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act, or DATA Act, was approved on a vote of 388-1.

“The DATA Act is an important piece of legislation. It will create the opportunity for government to be more efficient, more effective, and more transparent,” said Issa, a Republican from Vista who is chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

“The American people deserve real accountability of how their taxpayer dollars are spent, now, more than ever,” said Issa.

“Plain and simple, federal spending data will be easier to access under this bill,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-VA, a strong supporter of the legislation.

Issa noted in his district blog that "government agencies often avoid scrutiny of their spending because the information is not maintained in an easily readable and publicly searchable database." He said his bill would make it easier for citizen watchdogs to review government spending.

The DATA Act will now head to the Senate where similar legislation is being considered.

Issa represents California's 49th district, which includes Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Camp Pendleton, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Ladera Ranch.