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Hearing Hearing Date: December 11, 2018 10:00 am 2154 Rayburn HOB

Examining ‘Backdoor’ Spending by Federal Agencies

Subject
Examining ‘Backdoor’ Spending by Federal Agencies
Date
December 11, 2018
Time
10:00 am
Place
2154 Rayburn HOB
PURPOSE:
  • To examine the extent to which federal agencies use backdoor spending to avoid the annual appropriations process.
  • To explore how backdoor spending undermines Congress’ authority and what Congress can do to reassert its authority over the power of the purse.
BACKGROUND:
  • Backdoor spending is federal agency spending not subject to congressional review through the annual appropriations process. Spending outside of the appropriations process undermines congressional oversight by allowing agencies to fund agency operations and unappropriated programs without annual approval by Congress.
  • On December 11, 2018, the Government Accountability (GAO) will issue a report examining federal agency use of backdoor spending. According to GAO, federal agencies reported $3.2 trillion in backdoor spending in 2015, an 88 percent increase since 1994.
Witnesses and testimonies: Ms. Tranchau (Kris) T. Nguyen

Director of Strategic Issues
Government Accountability Office

Document

Ms. Julia C. Matta

Managing Associate General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
U.S. Government Accountability Office

Document

Mr. James Wallner

Senior Fellow, Governance Project
R Street Institute

Document

Mr. Robert Weissman

President
Public Citizen

Document