House approves DHS financial accountability bill

The House on Tuesday passed legislation designed to strengthen financial accountability at the Homeland Security Department.

The measure would apply to the department a 1990 law that governs chief financial officers in the government.

Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., said the best way to ensure the proper use of taxpayer dollars "is to subject government agencies to a vigorous auditing process to root out waste, fraud and abuse."

The department currently is the only one not accountable under the statute, despite it being one of the largest federal agencies. Under the legislation, Homeland Security would have to submit audited financial statements to the White House Office of Management and Budget and Congress.

The Senate also would have to confirm the department's chief financial officer.