Senate Passes Bill to Prevent Abuse of Government Charge Cards
October 1, 2012
On September 22, 2012, the Senate passed the “Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012” (S. 300). The bill implements governmentwide safeguards and internal controls for the management of government purchase cards and convenience checks. The bill also requires the inspector general of each executive agency to conduct periodic assessments of the agency purchase card or convenience check programs to identify and analyze risks of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments. In addition, the bill provides penalties for illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases, including dismissal.