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Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-1099| Senate 
| Updated: 8/4/2017
Thomas R. Carper

Thomas R. Carper

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (4)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Jon Tester (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2017 (Sec. 3) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a strategy to expand the use of data analytics in managing government purchase and travel charge card programs for the purpose of: identifying questionable transactions and developing enhanced tools and methods for agency use in identifying questionable transactions and recovering improper payments; identifying potential opportunities for agencies to further leverage administrative process streamlining and cost reduction from purchase and travel card use; developing a set of purchase and travel card metrics and benchmarks for high risk activities to assist agency purchase and travel card management and oversight activities; and developing a plan to create a library of analytics tools and data sources for use by agencies. (Sec. 4) The OMB must issue guidance on improving information sharing by government agencies, including by: requiring relevant officials to identify and communicate information about high-risk activities; requiring appropriate agency officials to review the reports issued by charge card-issuing banks on questionable transaction activity and suspicious timing or amounts of cash withdrawals or advances; providing for the appropriate sharing of information related to potential questionable transactions, fraud schemes, and high risk activities with GSA and appropriate federal officials; and considering the recommendations made by Inspectors General or the best practices Inspectors General have identified. (Sec. 5) The GSA and the OMB must establish a purchase and travel charge card data management group to develop and share best practices. (Sec. 6) The GSA shall report on: (1) the implementation of this bill, including the metrics used in determining whether the analytic and benchmarking efforts have reduced, or contributed to the reduction of, questionable or improper payments, as well as improved utilization of card-based payment products; and (2) further potential savings opportunities for government agencies under the federal charge card programs. Each federal agency that issues and uses purchase cards and convenience checks shall report to the OMB on that agency's activities to implement this bill. The OMB must submit to Congress a consolidated report of agency activities to implement this bill.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
May 11, 2017
Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
May 17, 2017
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jul 11, 2017
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-129.
Jul 11, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.
Aug 3, 2017
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 3, 2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 3, 2017
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4891)
Aug 4, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Aug 4, 2017
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 4, 2017
Received in the House.
  • May 11, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 11, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • May 17, 2017
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • July 11, 2017
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-129.


  • July 11, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • August 3, 2017
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4891)


  • August 4, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.


  • August 4, 2017
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • August 4, 2017
    Received in the House.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 115-4047: To provide for the identification and prevention of improper payments and the identification of strategic sourcing opportunities by reviewing and analyzing the use of Federal agency charge cards.
Congressional oversightExecutive agency funding and structureFraud offenses and financial crimesGeneral Services AdministrationGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)Performance measurementPublic contracts and procurementTransportation costs

Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-1099| Senate 
| Updated: 8/4/2017
Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2017 (Sec. 3) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a strategy to expand the use of data analytics in managing government purchase and travel charge card programs for the purpose of: identifying questionable transactions and developing enhanced tools and methods for agency use in identifying questionable transactions and recovering improper payments; identifying potential opportunities for agencies to further leverage administrative process streamlining and cost reduction from purchase and travel card use; developing a set of purchase and travel card metrics and benchmarks for high risk activities to assist agency purchase and travel card management and oversight activities; and developing a plan to create a library of analytics tools and data sources for use by agencies. (Sec. 4) The OMB must issue guidance on improving information sharing by government agencies, including by: requiring relevant officials to identify and communicate information about high-risk activities; requiring appropriate agency officials to review the reports issued by charge card-issuing banks on questionable transaction activity and suspicious timing or amounts of cash withdrawals or advances; providing for the appropriate sharing of information related to potential questionable transactions, fraud schemes, and high risk activities with GSA and appropriate federal officials; and considering the recommendations made by Inspectors General or the best practices Inspectors General have identified. (Sec. 5) The GSA and the OMB must establish a purchase and travel charge card data management group to develop and share best practices. (Sec. 6) The GSA shall report on: (1) the implementation of this bill, including the metrics used in determining whether the analytic and benchmarking efforts have reduced, or contributed to the reduction of, questionable or improper payments, as well as improved utilization of card-based payment products; and (2) further potential savings opportunities for government agencies under the federal charge card programs. Each federal agency that issues and uses purchase cards and convenience checks shall report to the OMB on that agency's activities to implement this bill. The OMB must submit to Congress a consolidated report of agency activities to implement this bill.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 11, 2017
Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
May 17, 2017
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jul 11, 2017
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-129.
Jul 11, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.
Aug 3, 2017
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 3, 2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 3, 2017
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4891)
Aug 4, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Aug 4, 2017
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 4, 2017
Received in the House.
  • May 11, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 11, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • May 17, 2017
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • July 11, 2017
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-129.


  • July 11, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • August 3, 2017
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4891)


  • August 4, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.


  • August 4, 2017
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • August 4, 2017
    Received in the House.
Thomas R. Carper

Thomas R. Carper

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (4)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Jon Tester (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 115-4047: To provide for the identification and prevention of improper payments and the identification of strategic sourcing opportunities by reviewing and analyzing the use of Federal agency charge cards.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightExecutive agency funding and structureFraud offenses and financial crimesGeneral Services AdministrationGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)Performance measurementPublic contracts and procurementTransportation costs