[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 165 (Wednesday, September 23, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act

  Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I grew up on a family farm with modest 
means. As a young girl, I saw Washington, DC, as a place for men in big 
fancy suits and big fancy houses. While a lot has changed since that 
time--for one, there are a lot more women like me serving in the 
Senate--so much here is still the same.
  You see, too many folks in Washington get their paychecks from 
American taxpayers but don't honor the folks who pay their salary. 
Instead of holding bad actors accountable, whether it is reckless 
spending or raunchy behavior on taxpayers' time, it gets swept under 
the rug.
  Let me give you an example. I have a bill right now. It is called the 
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act. It passed committee unanimously. It is 
actually one of the simplest bills I have ever introduced. It literally 
requires the government to report on projects that are, No. 1, behind 
schedule and, No. 2, overbudget. It is a simple reporting requirement. 
Again, it passed through the committee unanimously.
  The bill has the support of my Republican colleagues, but I am being 
stonewalled by my friends across the aisle. Folks, I cannot fathom why 
some Senate Democrats would oppose a reporting requirement to identify 
wasteful spending.
  You might ask: If this bill is so simple, why does it mean so much to 
you? Because it matters to my fellow Iowa taxpayers. They expect 
Washington to use their tax dollars wisely, not throw them down 
bottomless sinkholes that go unnoticed. Ask any small business owner in 
Iowa whether the bottom line allows them to be over-budget or behind 
schedule. They would be out of business. They would be out of business 
in a heartbeat. Yet we can't even pass a bill to report on these cost 
overruns, much less address them. I guess it is perfectly fine for 
Washington to take more and more from working families and small 
businesses.
  Folks, I think it is downright shameful that we just can't pass this 
simple bill. I will remind you again, it passed unanimously through 
committee.
  While there is a heck of a lot of political posturing that goes on in 
the Senate, we have had moments when we have come together to rein in 
the ticker tape parade of Washington's excesses. For instance, we 
passed my SQUEAL Act, which was signed into law as part of the Tax Cuts 
and Jobs Act of 2017. I am proud of that effort because there is no 
reason Members of Congress should enjoy tax perks that don't get 
enjoyed by everyone else.
  My bipartisan Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act 
was signed into law, creating more efficiency and oversight in the 
Federal Government.
  I certainly have not stopped fighting to rein in Presidential perks.
  I have also worked with colleagues who couldn't be more different 
from me politically, and we have actually accomplished really important 
things for the American people. I will name a few of those. We have 
fought against abuse in the Olympics. We have worked to stop prison 
rape. We have expanded telehealth and mental health services for our 
veterans. We have fought against opioids in our communities, and so 
much more.
  Working across the aisle really does take humility. It takes honesty, 
and it takes a firm belief in America and her people. But we can do 
this. I would urge all of my colleagues to support my bill and move it 
through the Senate.
  Living in Iowa, I am so blessed to be around the best people America 
has to offer. I am lucky not just to call these people farmers but also 
friends and neighbors. Iowans are strong. Iowans are resilient. And 
Iowans are brave. I have long said we need more of Iowa in Washington. 
I will keep fighting to make sure that happens.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Romney). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.