article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Earmark Reform and Federal Spending Transparency and Accountability Act of 2011''. SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON CONTRIBUTIONS BY EARMARK BENEFICIARIES TO CERTAIN CANDIDATES. (a) Limitation.-- (1) In general.--Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as paragraphs (5) through (9), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph: ``(4) Limitation on Contributions by Earmark Beneficiaries.-- ``(A) In general.--During the period which begins on January 1 of an odd-numbered year and ends on December 31 of the next even-numbered year, no earmark beneficiary shall make contributions aggregating more than $5,000 to any requesting candidate with respect to such earmark beneficiary. ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph: ``(i) Earmark beneficiary.--The term `earmark beneficiary' means any person who specifically requests and benefits from a congressionally directed spending item, a limited tax benefit, or a limited tariff benefit (as such terms are defined in paragraph 5 of rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, determined by substituting `Senator or Member' for `Senator' in such paragraph) which was enacted into law during the period described in subparagraph (A) or any person who is hired to represent the interests of the person making the request. ``(ii) Requesting candidate; requesting individual.--The terms `requesting candidate' and `requesting individual' mean, with respect to any earmark beneficiary, any Senator or Member who requested the congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit (as so defined) which benefits the earmark beneficiary.''. (2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (1) of section 315(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by striking ``subsection (i) and section 315A'' and inserting ``paragraph (4), subsection (i), and section 315(A)''. (b) Inflation Adjustment.-- (1) In general.--Section 315(c)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``(a)(4),'' after ``(a)(3)'' each place it appears in subparagraphs (B)(i) and (C). (2) Base period.--Section 315(c)(2)(B) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441(c)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i), by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(iii) for purposes of subsection (a)(4), calendar year 2010.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to contributions made on and after January 1, 2011. SEC. 3. LIMITS ON STAFF ATTENDANCE OF MEMBER FUND RAISERS. (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), an employee of the personal staff of a Member of Congress shall not attend a political fund raiser held on behalf of the Member of Congress for whom they are employed. (b) Exception.--A Member of Congress may designate 1 employee who shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (a). SEC. 4. EARMARK PUBLIC DATABASE. Not later than July 1, 2011, the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall post on the public website of their respective Houses a link to the earmark database maintained by the Office of Management and Budget. SEC. 5. FEDERAL EXPENDITURE PUBLIC DATABASE. Not later than July 1, 2011, the head of each department and agency of the Federal Government shall post on the public website of that department or agency a link to a searchable database that lists each contract, grant, cooperative agreement, and other expenditure made by the department or agency listing with respect to the expenditure the amount, purpose, term, and office making such expenditure. SEC. 6. VOUCHING FOR EARMARK REQUESTS. Paragraph 6(a)(4) of rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and a certification that the recipient is qualified to handle the project, if applicable''. SEC. 7. GAO AUDITS. Not later than December 31, 2011, and each year thereafter, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress that uses the OMB database-- (1) to randomly select a percentage of each of the programs and projects funded through earmarks in the preceding fiscal year; (2) to conduct an audit on each selected program or project reporting on the amount, purpose, term, requesting Member, and the present state of completion of the program or project; and (3) if the earmark contributes to an already existing program or project, to provide a detailed accounting of how the earmark contributed to each program or project.
summary: Earmark Reform and Federal Spending Transparency and Accountability Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit, between January 1 of an odd-numbered year and December 31 of the next even-numbered year, an earmark beneficiary from making contributions aggregating more than $5,000 to any requesting candidate with respect to such earmark beneficiary. Defines "requesting candidate" as any Senator or Member who requested a congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit (earmark) which benefits the earmark beneficiary. Prohibits the employees of the personal staff of a Member of Congress, except for one designee, from attending a political fund raiser held on the Member's behalf. Requires the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives each to post on the respective public website a link to the earmark database maintained by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Requires the head of each federal department and agency to post on the respective public website a link to a searchable database that lists each contract, grant, cooperative agreement, and other expenditure made by the department or agency. Amends Rule XLIV (Congressionally Directed Spending and Related Items) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require a Senator requesting an earmark in any legislation or an accompanying joint statement of managers to certify in the required written statement to the chairman and ranking member of the committee of jurisdiction that the earmark recipient is qualified to handle the project. Requires the Comptroller General, in an annual report to Congress, to use the OMB database to: (1) randomly select a percentage of each of the programs and projects funded through earmarks in the preceding fiscal year; (2) audit each selected one; and (3) provide a detailed accounting of how, if it does so, the earmark contributes to an already existing program or project.