Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025
Summary
The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 would expand transparency requirements for federal government spending. Currently, federal agencies must report most spending on USAspending.gov, a public website. However, certain types of contracts called other transaction agreements (OTAs) are exempt from standard federal acquisition rules and are not being reported. This bill would close that loophole by requiring agencies to include OTA spending in their public reports.
If enacted, the bill would require the Treasury Department to ensure OTA data is automatically posted to USAspending.gov and establish consistent reporting standards across agencies. The bill also requires the Treasury Department to publish annual reports showing the total amount of federal spending that has not been reported and explaining why, including spending related to national security or legislative and judicial branches. For ten years after enactment, agency inspectors general would periodically report to Congress on whether agencies are properly reporting their spending data.
The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote. Its practical impact would be increased public visibility into how federal agencies spend taxpayer dollars through these alternative contracting mechanisms, potentially helping citizens and Congress better track government spending and identify waste.