S.766 - Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 (S.766) mandates an annual report on taxpayer-funded projects that exceed their budget by $1 billion or are more than five years behind schedule. This report, compiled by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would be submitted to Congress and made public. The goal is to increase transparency and accountability regarding large government projects.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to provide greater oversight of government spending and project management. By requiring detailed reporting, it could lead to more efficient use of taxpayer money and better project planning in the future. It may also deter agencies from initiating projects with unrealistic budgets or timelines.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government spending.
- Potential for improved project management and reduced cost overruns.
- Greater accountability for government agencies and contractors.
- Informed decision-making by Congress regarding funding for large projects.
- Public awareness of project performance.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on government agencies.
- Risk of politicization of project reporting.
- Possible chilling effect on agencies undertaking ambitious projects.
- The focus on large projects might overshadow smaller, but equally important, inefficiencies.
- The report itself will cost taxpayer money to produce.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on transparency and accountability in government. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 states that "a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." While this clause doesn't explicitly mandate project-specific reporting, the spirit of transparency is consistent with the bill's intent. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
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).