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[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.
