Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary: Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 **What the bill does:** This bill would require federal agencies to report to Congress through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) about government projects that are significantly over budget or behind schedule. Specifically, agencies would need to report annually on projects that are either more than five years late or have cost overruns exceeding $1 billion. These reports would include details about what went wrong, how much the project costs now versus originally, and explanations for the delays or budget increases. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies running large-scale projects and Congress, which would receive this oversight information.
Taxpayers are indirect stakeholders, as the bill aims to create transparency around how federal money is spent on major projects. The reporting requirements could impact any federal agency managing significant construction, infrastructure, technology, or other long-term projects. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill focuses on government transparency and oversight rather than proposing major policy changes, addressing what sponsors view as wasteful spending through increased accountability.
CRS Official Summary
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect information from federal agencies and report to Congress regarding projects that are behind schedule or have expenditures that have exceeded the original cost estimate. Specifically, the bill requires OMB to issue guidance directing federal agencies to annually submit specified information to OMB regarding certain federally funded projects that (1) are more than five years behind schedule, or (2) have expenditures that are at least $1 billion more than the original cost estimate for the project. Among other information, the agencies must submit to OMBa description of each project;an explanation of any change to the original scope of the project;the original and current expected dates for the completion of the project;the original and current cost estimates adjusted for inflation; an explanation for any delays in completing the project or increases in the cost; andthe amount of and rationale for any award, incentive fee, or other type of bonus awarded for the project.The bill also requires OMB to submit an annual report to Congress containing the information submitted by the agencies and post the report on the OMB website.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.