Grants Database Urged

Picking up where the House's new "Truth in Testimony" rule left off, the Heritage Foundation is urging freshman Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, to sponsor legislation that would create an Internet database of all federal grants and procurement contracts.

The Truth in Testimony rule requires that witnesses who are slated to appear before House committees disclose the federal contracts and grants that they or their organizations receive. GOP supporters say the rule will show how much taxpayer money supports liberal advocacy groups.

Now the Heritage Foundation wants to go further. Its proposed Federal Funding Electronic Disclosure Act would identify--on line--the organizations, universities, defense contractors, labor unions, think tanks and other institutions that receive federal money. A Sessions spokeswoman said he hasn't committed to taking up Heritage's cause, but added, "We are exploring the options."