Bill would force GSA to hand over transition funds to Bush
A bill introduced in the House Wednesday would force the General Services Administration to release transition funds and office space to Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush.
Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., introduced H.R. 5643 in the House this week, amid a congressional debate over whether GSA should release the funds to Bush. Bush was certified Nov. 26 as the winner of Florida's electoral votes, giving him enough electoral votes to win the presidential election. However, Bush's Democratic opponent, Vice President Al Gore, is contesting the results in Florida courtrooms.
The legislation would also reimburse the Bush campaign for any money spent on transition activities since Bush was certified the winner in Florida.
"The holdup of transition assistance due to a technicality in the law is unacceptable. The election was a month ago and Gov. Bush has been certified the winner. Every day that goes by without a smooth transition of power damages the next administration's ability to deal with the problems facing America," said Bachus.
On Monday, a House Government Reform subcommittee held a hearing to clarify questions about GSA's decision to withhold transition dollars and other resources.
Rep. Steve Horn, R-Calif., criticized GSA Administrator David Barram for not providing resources-including more than $5 million-to Bush's transition team. Horn chairs the Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Barram testified that he will not release the funds until an "apparent successful candidate" has been determined, as mandated in the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. The Transition Act requires GSA to provide federal money, office space and other logistical support to the incoming and outgoing administrations. During the hearing, legislators and witnesses debated exactly when and how an "apparent successful candidate" is determined.
The 2000 Presidential Transition Act, passed in October, allocates more than $5 million for the transition and expands GSA's role in it. GSA will publish a transition directory with information on each agency, and will help arrange briefings and furnish appointees with information on topics such as ethics and financial disclosure regulations.
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