River Bend Times

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman Brendan Boyle have voiced concerns following the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) critique of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) recent decision to remove a website containing crucial budget data. The website listed funds appropriated by Congress and disbursed by the Trump Administration. GAO has requested that this site be reinstated.

Senator Merkley stated that maintaining a public record of taxpayer spending is essential to ensure lawful government operations. “GAO confirmed that OMB’s reasoning for removing the website was wrong, and that apportionment data does not contain any sensitive information or threaten our national security. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and the President is not a king. It is past time for OMB to follow the law."

Congressman Boyle emphasized the necessity of public access to government spending details, stating, "The law says the public has a right to see how their tax dollars are spent — that’s not optional. By taking down the apportionments site, Donald Trump and Russell Vought are breaking the law and hiding important information from the American people. Democrats will fight to restore this tool and make sure the government remains transparent and accountable to the public."

The site in question provided an accounting of the Trump Administration's allocation of congressional appropriations, a process known as "apportionment," which Congress mandated to be publicized after funds were illegally withheld from Ukraine in 2019 during the first Trump Administration.

The GAO has several ongoing inquiries relying on this apportionment data and has urged OMB to reinstate it. “GAO asks that OMB reinstate this apportionment data, consistent with the law and OMB and GAO’s responsibilities to protect any information deemed by OMB to be sensitive. If OMB does not reinstate this apportionment data, please be aware that GAO has a broad statutory right of access to apportionment data."

The letter from the GAO highlights the importance of the data for Congress and the American taxpayer to uphold legislative oversight over government spending.