Responding to GSA, House easily approves bill to track spending

The House quickly approved legislation that would significantly improve the ability to track how federal dollars are spent, and also cut the travel budgets of federal agencies by 20 percent from 2010 levels. The travel budget cut is a direct response to the General Services Administration's (GSA) 2010 conference in Las Vegas that cost $830,000, and which has drawn criticism from both parties as a waste of taxpayer money. Members of the House from both parties left no doubt that this cut, and the overall need to provide greater transparency on the government's spending habits, are needed steps if taxpayers are to have any confidence in the ability of Washington to manage its money.