Border Wall Waste Accountability Act
H.R. 326, the Border Wall Waste Accountability Act, would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report the total cost of unused construction materials obtained for the border barrier project along the U.S.-Mexico border, covering materials procured from January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025. The GAO must submit the study to Congress within 90 days after the bill’s enactment. The aim is to quantify potential waste and provide a clearer picture of procurement costs associated with border wall materials, thereby enhancing fiscal accountability. The bill does not itself authorize funding or require actions on disposal or recoupment of costs; it creates a reporting obligation designed to illuminate how much money2014 or 2025 in unused materials cost the federal government. Because it hinges on data from multiple agencies and contractors, the study would likely require interagency cooperation and access to procurement records.
Key Points
- 1Short title: Border Wall Waste Accountability Act.
- 2GAO study mandate: The Comptroller General must conduct a study detailing the total cost of unused construction materials obtained for the border wall.
- 3Timeframe for materials: Focus on materials procured between January 20, 2021 and January 20, 2025.
- 4Reporting deadline: GAO must submit the study to Congress not later than 90 days after enactment of the section.
- 5Scope and limitations: The bill requires a cost estimate for unused materials but does not define “unused” or specify data sources, methodologies, or whether disposal/salvage values are included; it leaves room for GAO to determine approach within the statute.