Ernst’s Bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act Passes House

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa).

“It’s a bad day for boondoggles, but a very good one for taxpayers!” said Ernst. “Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the House of Representatives passed my bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, which will expose every government project that is $1 billion over budget or five years behind schedule. When this legislation, already unanimously passed by the Senate, becomes law, it will be impossible to hide pricey pork projects from being put on the chopping block.”

“In Congress, we are entrusted to be stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Miller-Meeks. “Government-funded projects that are excessively costly and delayed must be held to account. Our bill will increase transparency over these projects to ensure we aren’t wasting billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”   

The legislation would require the public disclosure of every taxpayer-funded project that is $1 billion or more over budget or five years or more behind schedule. This disclosure would also include an explanation for the delays and added costs as well as the identification of the contractors.

In an example of a protracted government-funded project, the Department of Veterans Affairs had fumbled replacing its decades-old electronic health records system. An assessment found the 2018 initial cost projection of $10 billion over 10 years ballooned to $50.8 billion over 28 years.

Background:

On March 26, 2024, Ernst’s bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act was unanimously passed by the Senate.

This bill is part of Ernst’s ongoing efforts to cut wasteful spending and make Washington “squeal.”

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