Joni Ernst

Senate · Republican · Iowa · since Jan 2021

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‹ Oct 5 – Oct 11 ›

Wednesday, Oct 7

Became law

S. 766 · Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-120.

What it would change

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. 

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. 

Summary by the Congressional Research Service

Their bill moved

S. 766 · Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025

Signed by President.

What it would change

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. 

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. 

Summary by the Congressional Research Service

Votes and bills from the official record; every item links to its source.

Bills they cosponsored · 208

S.Res. 939 · A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that it values the active participation of the Republic of Kosovo as the state partner of the Iowa National Guard over the past 15 years.

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5299; text: CR S5269-5270) · Sep 30, 2026

S.Res. 923 · A resolution expressing support for the designation of October 4 through October 10, 2026, as "National 4-H Week".

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5186; text: CR S5176) · Sep 29, 2026

S.Res. 913 · A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5064-5065; text: CR S5074-5075) · Sep 28, 2026

S.Res. 897 · A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewellyn Kyl, former Senator for the State of Arizona.

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4958; text: CR S4951-4952) · Sep 23, 2026

Committees

  • Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Member
  • Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology Member
  • Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety Member
  • Rural Development, Energy, and Credit Chair
  • Senate Committee on Armed Services Member
  • Cybersecurity Member
  • Emerging Threats and Capabilities Chair
  • Personnel Member
  • Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Member
  • Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs Member
  • Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census Member
  • Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair

Bills and committee seats from the official record.