PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 7, 2026
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act
This act requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect information from federal agencies and report to Congress regarding projects that are behind schedule or have expenditures that have exceeded the original cost estimate.
Specifically, the act requires OMB to issue guidance directing federal agencies to annually submit specified information to OMB regarding certain federally funded projects that (1) are more than five years behind schedule, or (2) have expenditures that are at least $1 billion more than the original cost estimate for the project.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Among other information, the agencies must submit to OMB
a description of each project;
an explanation of any change to the original scope of the project;
the original and current expected dates for the completion of the project;
the original and current cost estimates adjusted for inflation;
an explanation for any delays in completing the project or increases in the cost; and
the amount of and rationale for any award, incentive fee, or other type of bonus awarded for the project.
The act also requires OMB to submit an annual report to Congress containing the information submitted by the agencies and post the report on the OMB website.
People & committees
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] · R–IA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 119-120.
Became Public Law No: 119-120.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5930-5931)
Passed/agreed to in House: 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.
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8693-8694; text: CR S8693-8694)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 254.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Oct 15, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.766 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.766 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.766 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.766 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.