Pursuit is charging YOU with the task of finding the most ridiculous government waste– all using one simple tool: USAspending.gov.
Add your piece of government waste to the trophy wall by submitting things you find through our Facebook, Twitter, or contact page!
Watch the video above or read the instructions below to get started.
Trophy Wall
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Head to USAspending.gov
Hover over award search and click either advanced search or keyword search.
Advanced search is great for finding expenditures in your neighborhood or state. Keyword search is great if you want to find a specific expenditure like chocolate or beer.
Step 2:
Filter your search.
Filter your search by using a keyword or using the filter options on the left hand toolbar. From here you can filter by year, award type, state, congressional district, and even specific federal agencies.
Step 3:
Browse.
If you’re looking for things in your state or locale, scroll through expenditures of businesses or schools in your community.
If you’re using the keyword route, filter your search using the left hand toolbar. Filter dates, states, even other countries. Don’t forget to try variations of your keyword!
Step 4:
Share with us what you find by submitting via Facebook, Twitter, or our contact page. Be sure to copy and paste the link too!
Step 5:
Have fun! If you have questions about anything feel free to message us on any of our platforms. Also, be sure to follow and like our social accounts, and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on all things Pursuit.
History of USA Spending
USAspending.gov was created by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA). The act was introduced by former Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Tom Carper (D-DE), and John McCain (R-AZ).
FFATA was signed into law on September 26, 2006. The legislation required that Federal contract, grant, loan, and other financial assistance awards of more than $25,000 be displayed on a searchable, publicly accessible website, USAspending.gov, to give the American public access to information on how their tax dollars are being spent. USAspending.gov also displays certain federal contracts of more than $3,000. The initial site went live in 2007.
Federal agencies are required to report the name of the entity receiving the award, the amount of the award, the recipient’s location, the place of performance location, as well as other information.
“In our system of government the best ethics reform has always been frequent elections and the ability of citizens to hold their elected officials accountable. This legislation will give the American people valuable new tools in that effort. I’m proud to have worked with Senators McCain, Obama and Carper on this important legislation.”
–Senator Tom Coburn
“We should do everything we can to ensure that the American public can easily access and track how the Federal government does its business.”
–Senator Barrack Obama
When our founder, former Senator Tom Coburn and then Senator Barrack Obama teamed up to create USASpending.gov, they had no idea what skeletons would come out of the Federal Government’s closet. Thankfully, USASpending.gov has provided taxpayers a gateway into the interworking of their government.