House panel plans hearing on withholding of transition funds

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A House panel plans to hold a hearing next week to make sure the government's decision to withhold transition funds from the Bush campaign was proper.

"We want to ensure that the Presidential Transition Act is properly implemented and that an orderly transition takes place," said Rep. Steve Horn, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology. "It is imperative that the new administration gets off on the right foot."

Congress appropriated $7.1 million for the presidential transition when it passed its last stopgap spending measure in early November. Most of that money, $5.2 million, is for the incoming administration. The remaining $1.9 million is for the current administration to use to close up shop.

The General Services Administration, which manages the transition process, denied the Bush campaign's request for funds and office space until the contested election is resolved. Democrat Al Gore has not received any funds either.

The congressional hearing is scheduled for December 4 on Capitol Hill.