As a part of “Stop Government Abuse Week,” the House came together to pass H.R. 313, the “Government Accountability (GSA) Act of 2013.” Congressman Blake Farenthold introduced the Government Spending Accountability Act after it came to light that the GSA (the very government agency charged with keeping costs low) held a lavish $820,000 employee conference in Las Vegas, complete with a mind reader, clown, $31,000 reception and $70,000 team building exercise – sounds like fun…until the part where, we, the taxpayers paid for it. The GSA trip was just one example of this waste of taxpayer dollars. The GSA Act will require all federal agencies to publicly post detailed information about their employee conference spending Moreover, the bill will force the senior leadership of government agencies to be held accountable for their actions by requiring their approval on big conferences.

Blake Farenthold represents the 27th District of Texas.