Check federal spending — online

By Chris Casteel

Published: December 14, 2007

WASHINGTON — The White House budget office Thursday unveiled a new Web site, mandated by legislation written by Sens. Tom Coburn and Barack Obama, that allows people to see who receives government contracts and grants.

The Web site, www.usaspending.gov, breaks down the recipients of billions of dollars in contracts and grants by state and even by congressional district.

Much of the information has been available online through government databases and on a privately sponsored Web site called fedspending.org.

But Coburn, R-Muskogee, and Obama, D-Ill., wanted a comprehensive, centralized government database to allow people to search through the thousands of grants and contracts awarded each year.

Coburn applauded the Office of Management and Budget on Thursday for launching the new site ahead of schedule.

Coburn said the site will provide:

•A free, searchable Web site that will track approximately $1 trillion in federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans

•Updates on spending every two weeks instead of quarterly, as is the current practice for existing federal grants information

•The opportunity for users to post comments and give feedback on the Web site

•Data that is searchable by contractor or grantee and by congressional district.

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