USAspending.gov is a public website promoting federal spending transparency, but the data behind that transparency is limited. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has made recommendations to enhance data quality and processes on the site.
- Michelle Sager, managing director of strategic issues at GAO, said agencies have made “incredible progress” in the past few years but still have more to do in providing timely, complete and accurate spending data.
- Sager said her office recommends implementing data inconsistency disclosures, informing agencies when data is flagged and instituting business process controls.
- As far as whether Americans can be confident in the accuracy of data on the site, Sager recommended people consider why they need the data, pay attention to disclosures and use skepticism.
