S-1099 : Still Just a Bill

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

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.

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 the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Office of Charge Card Management and appropriate federal officials; and
  • considering the recommendations made by Inspectors General or the best practices Inspectors General have identified.

The GSA and the OMB must establish a purchase and travel charge card data management group to develop and share best practices.

The GSA shall report on further potential savings opportunities for government agencies under the federal charge card programs.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2017-08-04IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.House floor actions
2017-08-04FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2017-08-04FloorReceived in the House.House floor actions
2017-08-03FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.Senate
2017-08-03FloorMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4891)Senate
2017-07-11CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.Senate
2017-07-11CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-129.Senate
2017-05-17CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
2017-05-11IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
2017-05-11IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
See Subjects
  • Congressional oversight
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Performance measurement
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Transportation costs
  • General Services Administration
  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Related Bills

See Related Bills