The federal government has never exactly been known for its transparency, especially when it involves exactly where all our tax money goes every year. But things could get slightly clearer thanks to legislation passed yesterday by the House of Representatives.

The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA) creates an independent board to track all federal spending on a single website.

Another dig against federal agencies is that they often use different formats and methods for tracking their cash. DATA would require everyone to report their spending in a standardized format.

“The winners with this effort will be the American people,” said California Congressman Darrell Issa, the bill’s chief sponsor. “The American people … will find it possible to get meaningful information about where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.”

“This is designed to save money,” said Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York. “Currently available data on federal spending is incomplete, confusing and inconsistent. This act would centralize and simplify the convoluted reporting that is in place now.”

The bill now requires the approval of the Senate, hopefully en route to the Oval Office.

House passes measure to detail gov’t spending online [ComputerWorld.com via TheVerge]

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