{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-ernst-billion-dollar-boondoggle-act-passes-congress-heads", "Miller-Meeks, Ernst Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act Passes Congress, Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "M001215", "millermeeks.house.gov", "millermeeks", "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The U.S. House of Representatives has given final passage to the bipartisan Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, legislation led by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) requiring public disclosure of taxpayer-funded projects that are more than $1 billion over budget or more than five years behind schedule.\n\nThe House originally passed H.R. 1722, the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, in July 2026. Both Chambers have now given final approval, sending the bill to President Trump\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cIowans work hard for their money, and they expect Washington to be a good steward of every taxpayer dollar,\u201d said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. \u201cWhen billion-dollar projects go years over schedule and billions over budget, taxpayers deserve answers and accountability. The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act will shine a light on these financial train wrecks and make sure Congress and the American people know where their money is going. I\u2019m proud to see this bill pass Congress and head to the President\u2019s desk, and I thank Senator Ernst for her partnership in getting this important legislation across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cGoing a billion dollars over budget isn\u2019t a rounding error\u2014it\u2019s a financial trainwreck at taxpayers\u2019 expense,\u201d said Sen. Ernst. \u201cTaxpayers deserve transparency, and this legislation will shine a light on these boondoggles and hold Washington accountable for its out-of-control spending.\u201d\n\n\"Congress must ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent efficiently. Every year, there are government projects that are above cost projections or behind schedule. Congress has a duty to root out government waste and mismanagement to protect the American taxpayer. The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act brings transparency to failing government projects to prevent waste of Americans\u2019 tax dollars. I thank Congresswoman Miller-Meeks for championing this legislation,\" said House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.).\n\nBackground:\n\nThe legislation follows a report from Senator Ernst exposingmore than a dozen government projects that collectively racked up $162 billion in cost overruns. Meanwhile, the national debt has surpassed$40 trillion, growing by over $2 trillion in the past year alone, and the Government Accountability Office has documented$2.7 trillion in improper payments by federal agencies since 2003.\n\nSome of the worst boondoggles this bill would expose:\n\nCalifornia High-Speed Rail \u2014 more than $150 billion over budget, from an original $33 billion estimate to as much as $231 billion.\n\nVA electronic health record system \u2014 tripled from $16.1 billion to $49.8 billion, with flaws that may have contributed to veteran deaths.\n\nHonolulu Rail Transit \u2014 $4.8 billion over budget, with completion slipping from 2020 to 2031.\n\nWashington Metro's Purple Line \u2014 $3.1 billion over budget and more than five years delayed.\n\nColumbus Crossroads corridor \u2014 19 years behind schedule, with costs more than double the original $801 million estimate.\n\nAir Force One replacements \u2014 billions over budget and years behind schedule.\n\nFederal Reserve renovation \u2014 up 34% from $1.9 billion to nearly $2.5 billion.\n\nCongresswoman Miller-Meeks has been a leading voice in the fight against government waste, fraud, and abuse. She first introduced the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act in the 118th Congress and reintroduced it in the 119th Congress alongside Senator Ernst.\n\nTo read the full bill text, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-ernst-billion-dollar-boondoggle-act-passes-congress-heads"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4097318053245544, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}