EPA’s failure to report billions of dollars found by Inspector General

The EPA Failed to Report⁢ Billions in Spending, Prompting Condemnation from GOP Lawmakers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has come under fire for its failure ‍to accurately report ⁣billions of dollars in fiscal 2022 spending, according to a report released by the agency’s inspector general. ‌The report revealed that⁢ the EPA’s initial reporting ⁢to USAspending.gov, the ⁤federal government’s official source of spending information, was incomplete and inaccurate due to the‌ agency’s failure to follow⁣ proper information technology ⁤procedures.

“Consequently, necessary changes to the OCFO’s DATA Act Evaluation and Approval Repository, the system that facilitates the Agency’s⁢ USAspending.gov reporting, were either unimplemented or incorrectly implemented, and these issues were not identified via⁢ configuration audits,” the report stated. “Additionally, the OCFO lacked procedures to detect errors and to confirm ‍the ‌completeness and accuracy of the data that​ it reported to USAspending.gov.”

The inspector general’s investigation found that the EPA had ‌underreported award-level obligations by $1.2 billion and award-level outlays by ⁢$5.8 billion, meaning‌ a significant portion of the agency’s spending was not reported. The report also highlighted‍ the ⁤EPA’s failure to report ⁤any of its Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act outlays and its underreporting of‍ COVID pandemic-related outlays.

“The lack of complete and accurate‍ reporting also led to taxpayers being initially misinformed about the EPA’s spending, and policy-makers who relied on the ⁣data may not have been⁢ able⁢ to effectively‍ track‍ federal spending,” the report emphasized.

Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,⁢ expressed their outrage at⁣ the EPA’s negligence. McMorris Rodgers criticized the⁣ agency for its inability​ to track spending and called for greater‍ transparency.

“It’s outrageous and unacceptable that the‌ EPA cannot keep track of its spending or inform Congress — and ‌the American people — of how it is using taxpayer dollars. This eye-opening report only further ⁤highlights the need for more transparency at the‍ EPA,” McMorris Rodgers stated.

Other GOP lawmakers, such ​as Rep. John Joyce and Rep. Lauren Boehbert, also‌ condemned the EPA’s actions, with ⁤Joyce calling it a ⁤clear sign of the agency’s inability to serve the American‍ people and Boehbert deeming ‍it completely unacceptable.

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Improving Reporting ​Process

Following the audit, the inspector general’s team provided several recommendations to the EPA for ​enhancing its USAspending.gov reporting process. The agency has agreed to these suggestions and has committed to implementing the necessary corrective actions within⁤ specified timeframes.

“EPA welcomes and appreciates the Office of the Inspector General’s oversight and recommendations,” stated an EPA spokesperson. “EPA properly accounted for FY 2022​ funding, ​which is validated by the inspector general’s fiscal 2022 clean ⁣unmodified audit opinion of EPA’s financial statements. This was an issue transmitting data to USASpending.gov, which has‌ been corrected.”

What steps has⁢ the ‌EPA taken to address the​ deficiencies ​in its reporting and improve transparency and ‍accountability in its financial operations

Had a full and accurate understanding of the agency’s⁣ financial activities,” the report stated.

The EPA’s failure to accurately report its spending has drawn ⁢criticism from Republican lawmakers, who ⁢argue that it undermines transparency and​ accountability in government‌ spending. They ​argue that the incomplete and ⁤inaccurate reporting hinders⁢ oversight efforts and ⁢makes‌ it difficult‌ for Congress and the public to assess ⁣how taxpayer ⁤dollars are being‌ used.

Senator John‌ Barrasso, the ranking Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, expressed concern over the EPA’s failure to report billions in ‌spending and ⁢called for greater accountability. “The EPA’s failure to ‌accurately report its spending is unacceptable and undermines the trust⁤ of ‌the American ​people,”​ Senator Barrasso ​said in a statement. “We need transparency and accountability in government spending to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used wisely and efficiently.”

Other Republican lawmakers echoed these sentiments and⁣ called for improved data reporting and oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future. They argue that accurate and complete reporting is crucial for effective decision-making and providing the public with an accurate picture ⁢of how ‌funds are being allocated.

In ⁢response to the report, the EPA acknowledged the issues with its reporting⁤ and committed to addressing the deficiencies and improving its data⁤ reporting procedures. The agency stated that it has already taken steps ⁢to improve its reporting accuracy ‌and will continue to work towards ensuring transparency and accountability in⁣ its financial⁣ operations.

However, Republican lawmakers argue that⁢ more needs to be done to prevent such​ failures‌ in the future. They call for increased oversight and‌ accountability⁣ measures, including regular audits and improved data verification‌ processes, ⁣to‍ prevent ⁤inaccurate reporting ​of spending.

The ‌EPA’s failure to accurately report billions⁤ in ​spending is‍ a serious ‌issue ‌that⁤ has prompted condemnation from GOP lawmakers. They argue that the lack of ​transparency and accountability undermines public ‍trust and hinders effective oversight. Moving forward, it ⁢is crucial for the EPA to address these deficiencies,⁢ implement ⁣stricter data reporting and verification procedures, and ensure​ that ‌taxpayer dollars​ are being used ⁢in a responsible and efficient manner.

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