At a Glance
- What it is: Binding report text that guides agency behavior and triggers independent checks.
- Why it helps: Adds teeth to oversight during execution of funds without passing a new law.
- Safeguards: Targets are narrow with due dates, deliverables, and public posting.
- Who is covered: Agencies and programs funded or authorized by the bill.
When to Use
- Funds are moving: You need control over how money is used with quick feedback cycles.
- Risk of abuse: There are warning signs in contracting, hiring, or rulemaking.
- Need a pause: A short audit or review should occur before a major action continues.
Explanation: Choose this tool when the listed conditions match your goal and other routes are too slow or too broad.
How it Works
- Draft: Insert directive text in the committee report with dates, office names, and clear outputs.
- Coordinate: Share draft with the Government Accountability Office or the inspector general to confirm feasibility.
- Publish: Require machine readable deliverables and a public posting link.
- Follow up: Hold a hearing or a staff briefing on the deadline to keep pressure on.
Explanation: These steps focus on speed, clarity, and a documented record the public can follow.
Simple Examples
- Audit of obligation rates: Direct the Government Accountability Office to audit unobligated balances in Program X within 60 days.
- Pre-award review: Instruct the inspector general to review the top three bids for Contract Y before award.
- Publication: Require the agency to post all waivers over one million dollars in a searchable list within 30 days.
Explanation: Examples show narrow, real world uses you can adapt quickly.
Risks and Mitigations
- Resistance: Executives may claim directives are not binding - include clear cites to the bill and require publication.
- Delay: Set short deadlines and require status updates to the committee clerk.
- Overbreadth: Keep scopes narrow and time limited.
Explanation: Mitigations keep the tool fair and effective while reducing conflict and delay.
Copy Ready Report Text
The Committee directs the Government Accountability Office to audit the obligation and expenditure of unobligated balances in [Program Name] and to report within 60 days after enactment. The report shall be posted on a public website in machine readable form.
The Committee directs the inspector general of [Agency Name] to review the procurement record for [Contract or Program] prior to award and to provide findings to the Committee within 30 days. The review shall address compliance with competition rules, conflicts of interest, and cost realism.
The Committee directs [Agency Name] to publish, no later than 30 days after enactment, a machine readable list of all waivers and exceptions granted under [Statute or Regulation] over one million dollars, including authority, date, recipient, and amount.