Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-120.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025. It requires an annual report of taxpayer-funded projects that are over budget and behind schedule. Under this legislation, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance requiring covered agencies to submit information yearly about certain costly or delayed projects. A covered project is defined as something funded by an agency that is more than 5 years behind schedule or has cost at least $1,000,000,000 more than originally estimated. The Director must then submit this report to Congress and post it on the website of the Office of Management and Budget. This common sense measure helps us hold our elected officials and government agencies accountable for how they spend our hard-earned tax dollars.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires public disclosure of details regarding massive taxpayer-funded projects via the OMB website.
- Scored +5
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill promotes fiscal accountability by requiring reporting on projects that exceed budgets by $1 billion.
- Scored +2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
By increasing oversight of massive cost overruns, the bill may help curb unnecessary spending.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section requires agencies to report annually on projects that are massively over budget by at least $1,000,000,000 or delayed by more than 5 years. This is a positive step because it shines a light on wasteful government spending and lets the people see exactly where projects are failing.
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Section 2(b)(2): The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is required to submit this information to Congress and post it directly on a public website. This gives citizens clear visibility into the actions of the officials we vote for and the agencies they oversee.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2: The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill promotes fiscal accountability by requiring reporting on projects that exceed budgets by $1 billion. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Increased transparency regarding large-scale project costs can lead to more efficient resource allocation. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — By increasing oversight of massive cost overruns, the bill may help curb unnecessary spending.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires public disclosure of details regarding massive taxpayer-funded projects via the OMB website. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill centralizes data collection and reporting through the OMB Director.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Better management of large government projects may ensure more efficient use of public funds. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased transparency protects taxpayer dollars which impacts the broader economy.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — Increased scrutiny of construction projects may lead to better management of infrastructure funds. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Increased scrutiny of construction projects may lead to better management of infrastructure funds.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — By monitoring large defense acquisitions, the bill may help prevent wasteful spending in the military sector.
- Public Law (10/8/2026)
The text as it became law
What changed from Enrolled Bill: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 10/7/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-120.
- 9/29/2026
- Presented to President.
- 9/16/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5930-5931)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5930-5931)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 766.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5930-5931)
- Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 3/18/2026
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
- 2/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/15/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 12/11/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8693-8694; text: CR S8693-8694)
- 12/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/3/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 254.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
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Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida