Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1722
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-15T08:05:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025" (H.R. 1722) aims to increase transparency and accountability for large taxpayer-funded government projects that exceed their budgets or timelines. It requires federal agencies to report on these underperforming projects annually, helping Congress and the public understand wasteful spending.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Covered agency: Includes executive branch agencies (like departments) and independent regulatory agencies (like the FCC or SEC).
- Covered project: A government-funded initiative that is either more than 5 years behind its original completion date or at least $1 billion over its original cost estimate. Projects include major purchases, defense programs, construction, clean-up efforts, or other time-bound activities, but exclude direct spending programs (like entitlement benefits).
- Director: Refers to the head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees federal budgeting.
- Reporting Requirements:
- Within one year of the bill's enactment, the OMB Director must issue guidelines for covered agencies to submit annual data on their covered projects.
- Submitted information must include:
- A short description (purpose, locations, contract details, start year, federal funding share, and key contractors or grant recipients).
- Any changes to the project's original scope (e.g., added or reduced requirements).
- Original and current expected completion dates.
- Original and current cost estimates, adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI, a measure of price changes for everyday goods).
- Explanations for delays or cost overruns, including effects from funding shortfalls.
- Details on any bonuses, incentives, or awards given for the project.
- Annual Report to Congress:
- The OMB Director must compile the agencies' submissions into an annual report and send it to Congress while also posting it on the OMB website for public access.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new mandatory reporting system, which does not appear to amend or replace any prior laws. It adds a structured, annual disclosure process for underperforming projects, filling a gap in current federal oversight by focusing specifically on major delays (over 5 years) and cost overruns (over $1 billion). Previously, such information might have been scattered or reported only sporadically through existing budgeting rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Covered agencies will face increased administrative burdens to track, document, and explain troubled projects, potentially leading to better project management to avoid public scrutiny. OMB will need resources to coordinate and publish reports.
- On Citizens: Taxpayers gain greater visibility into how federal funds are spent, which could highlight wasteful projects and build pressure for reforms, promoting more efficient use of public money.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal projects without addressing foreign aid, trade, or global partnerships.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Executive and independent regulatory bodies managing large projects, who must comply with reporting.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Responsible for issuing guidelines and producing the annual report.
- Congress: Receives the report to inform oversight, budgeting, and potential investigations.
- Taxpayers and the Public: Benefit from transparency on government spending.
- Contractors and Grant Recipients: Major firms or organizations involved in covered projects may face reputational risks if delays or overruns are highlighted.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces accountability through reporting without imposing penalties, relying on existing OMB authority under federal budgeting laws. It avoids complex enforcement by focusing on disclosure rather than new regulations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to oversee executive spending (under Article I), enhancing checks and balances without infringing on agency operations.
- Political: Could foster bipartisan support for fiscal responsibility by exposing "boondoggles" (inefficient projects), but might lead to debates over agency burdens or selective scrutiny of programs. No overt bias in the text, but the title suggests a focus on curbing perceived government waste.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
- 2026-03-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-27: 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.
- 2025-02-27: 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.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (5 pages)