04.09.25

GAO Raises Concern Over OMB’s Actions to Remove Budget Data Website

Merkley and Boyle Called on OMB to Immediately Restore the Website Last Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statements in response to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) raising concerns with the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) actions last month to remove the website that listed the funding that Congress appropriated and have since been sent out the door by the Trump Administration. GAO is requesting a reversal of this decision.

“Having a public record of where taxpayer dollars are spent is critical to ensuring the Trump Administration is following the law. Unilaterally impounding funds is illegal, and Trump and Vought are trying to hide that they are gutting the federal government piece by piece,” said Merkley. “GAO confirmed that OMB’s reasoning for removing the website was wrong, and that apportionment data does not contain any sensitive information or threaten our national security. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and the President is not a king. It is past time for OMB to follow the law.”

“The law says the public has a right to see how their tax dollars are spent — that’s not optional. By taking down the apportionments site, Donald Trump and Russell Vought are breaking the law and hiding important information from the American people. Democrats will fight to restore this tool and make sure the government remains transparent and accountable to the public,” said Boyle.

The deleted portal provided a public accounting of when and where the Trump Administration has made appropriations passed by Congress available for expenditure, a process known as "apportionment." Congress has mandated this publication since 2022 after the first Trump Administration illegally withheld funds from Ukraine in 2019.

“GAO has a number of on-going Impoundment Control Act inquiries and engagement work, many of which rely on apportionment data. GAO asks that OMB reinstate this apportionment data, consistent with the law and OMB and GAO’s responsibilities to protect any information deemed by OMB to be sensitive. If OMB does not reinstate this apportionment data, please be aware that GAO has a broad statutory right of access to apportionment data,” GAO wrote in part. “As GAO continues its work regarding the Impoundment Control Act and other engagement work, it is essential that we retain access to this apportionment data. Congress and the American taxpayer depend on GAO to carry out Congress’s oversight responsibilities, specifically with regard to its power of the purse.”

The full letter from GAO is HERE.

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