Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025
Summary
The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 mandates an annual report on taxpayer-funded projects that are over budget and behind schedule. This report, compiled by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will detail projects exceeding their original cost estimates by $1 billion or are more than 5 years behind schedule. The aim is to increase transparency and accountability in government spending.
The Act requires covered agencies (Executive and independent regulatory agencies) to submit comprehensive information on these projects to the OMB. This includes project descriptions, cost and schedule variances, and explanations for delays or cost increases. The OMB then submits a consolidated report to Congress and posts it on its website.
The bill seeks to improve oversight of large government projects, potentially leading to better resource allocation and project management in the long run.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely increase transparency regarding large, taxpayer-funded projects. It will force agencies to provide detailed explanations for budget overruns and delays.
This increased scrutiny may lead to improved project management and more realistic initial cost estimates. It could also deter agencies from initiating projects without proper planning and oversight.
However, the reporting requirements could also create additional administrative burdens for agencies.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government spending on large projects.
- Improved accountability for project delays and cost overruns.
- Potential for better project management and resource allocation.
- May deter initiation of poorly planned projects.
- Provides Congress and the public with valuable information for oversight.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden for covered agencies.
- Potential for agencies to focus on reporting rather than addressing underlying issues.
- The definition of "covered project" may exclude some significant projects.
- The report may not lead to immediate corrective action.
- Potential for political manipulation of the report's findings.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the principle of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's design. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, which requires a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money, supports the Act's aim to provide greater transparency in government spending. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional provision.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).