Miller-Meeks Bill to Expose Billion-Dollar Boondoggles Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, legislation led by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) requiring public disclosure of any taxpayer-funded project more than $1 billion over budget or more than five years behind schedule. Having passed the House with amendments, the bill now returns to the Senate for final approval.

"Iowans balance their checkbooks every month. They budget, they plan, and when money is tight, they make it work. Washington should be held to that same standard," said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. "A project that runs a billion dollars over budget isn't a rounding error, it's a betrayal of the people who paid for it. I am thrilled the House has passed this bill, moving us one step closer to making it law. Once enacted, every one of these failures will finally be dragged into the sunlight so taxpayers can see exactly where their hard-earned money is going."

"Congress must ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent efficiently. Every year, there are government projects that are above cost projections or behind schedule. Congress has a duty to root out government waste and mismanagement to protect the American taxpayer. The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act brings transparency to failing government projects to prevent waste of Americans’ tax dollars. I thank Congresswoman Miller-Meeks for championing this legislation," said House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.).

“For far too long, Washington has operated with an alarming ‘another day, another boondoggle,’ mentality. Enough is enough, and if I have anything to do with it, that trainwreck is going to be brought to a squealing halt sooner rather than later. With my Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act another step closer to becoming law, the days of bureaucratic bungling and perpetually postponed projects are reaching the end of the line.” - Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

The legislation follows a report from Senator Ernst exposingmore than a dozen government projects that collectively racked up $162 billion in cost overruns. Meanwhile, the national debt has surpassed$39 trillion, growing by over $2 trillion in the past year alone, and the Government Accountability Office has documented$2.7 trillion in improper payments by federal agencies since 2003.

Some of the worst boondoggles this bill would expose:

• California High-Speed Rail — more than $95 billion over budget, from an original $33 billion estimate to at least $128 billion.
• VA electronic health record system — tripled from $16.1 billion to $49.8 billion, with flaws that may have contributed to veteran deaths.
• Honolulu Rail Transit — $4.8 billion over budget, with completion slipping from 2020 to 2031.
• Washington Metro's Purple Line — $3.1 billion over budget and more than five years delayed.
• Columbus Crossroads corridor — 19 years behind schedule, with costs more than double the original $801 million estimate.
• Air Force One replacements — billions over budget and years behind schedule.
• Federal Reserve renovation — up 34% from $1.9 billion to nearly $2.5 billion.

Background:

Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has been a leading voice in the fight against government waste, fraud, and abuse. She first introduced the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act in the 118th Congress and reintroduced it in the 119th Congress alongside Senator Ernst.

Her broader record includes co-leading the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, signed into law, which stopped Social Security payments from going to deceased individuals, and championing the WALZ Act to crack down on the large-scale fraud seen in states like Minnesota that drains taxpayer-funded programs meant to serve children and families in need.

The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act builds on those efforts by exposing the worst examples of government mismanagement, ensuring Congress and the American people know exactly where their money is going.

To read the full bill text, click HERE. 

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