Miller-Meeks, Ernst Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act Passes House

WASHINGTON DC — Last night, the U.S. House passed the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act 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 Congress, we are entrusted to be stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. 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.”   

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

In the Senate, Ernst introduced the legislation with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The Billion Dollar Boondoggle now heads to the President’s desk.