Senator Lankford Introduces Federal Grant Transparency Bill

Press Release

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has introduced the Grant Reform and New Transparency (GRANT) Act, S. 2972, to provide more transparency and accountability in the federal grant process. In 2015, federal agencies awarded $617 billion in grants compared to $439 billion in contracts, yet the grant process lacks a consistent system for transparency, oversight or feedback to organizations that were not awarded federal dollars. The GRANT Act would reform the current process to promote transparency in award decisions, improve the applicant vetting process and prevent duplication in grant awards.

"Currently, federal agencies are in control of billions of taxpayer dollars with the freedom to award discretionary, competitive grants, but they are not required to make their selection process transparent. You cannot solve government duplication, waste and our national debt without confronting the closed federal grant process," said Lankford. "The GRANT Act encourages federal agencies to be more open about each grant opportunity from the application through the completion of the program. The parameters set in this bill will help reduce spending through the elimination of red tape, remove duplication of grant programs and provide greater accountability."

The GRANT Act would require each federal agency to post on their website the solicitation timeline to identify potential grant opportunities expected for the upcoming year.

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