If you ran your family budget the way the federal government runs its projects, you’d be bankrupt.
A new report titled “Off the Rails,” by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, head of the Senate’s “DOGE Caucus”, details how out-of-control federal spending has turned basic infrastructure and tech projects into billion-dollar boondoggles.
At the top of the list is California’s so-called “high-speed” rail. Originally sold to voters as a $33 billion project, it’s now expected to cost $128 billion. That’s a $95 billion overrun – and it’s still not finished.
Only in government can you blow through nearly $100 billion over budget and not get fired.
Trains, Planes, and Paper Pushers
The list includes more than a dozen federal projects that went wildly over budget – it’s not just California rail.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) extension went from $4.7 billion to $12.8 billion. Honolulu’s rail project jumped from $5.1 billion to $9.9 billion. Even a smaller light rail project in Minneapolis doubled in cost.
The waste isn’t limited to transportation. The Department of Veterans Affairs has spent over $49 billion on an electronic health record system that was supposed to cost $16 billion. The Air Force blew an extra $1.7 billion just replacing its planes used by the president and top officials.
And get this – even the Federal Reserve, which doesn’t exactly need a handout, spent over $3 billion renovating its headquarters. That’s a $1.2 billion upgrade to bureaucrat office space.
As if regular Americans struggling with housing costs are supposed to cheer that one on.
What’s This Got to Do With Nevada?
While none of these specific projects are located in Nevada, the impact hits close to home.
Nevadans pay federal taxes just like everyone else, and our money is being funneled into projects that are poorly managed, over-budget, and often unfinished.
Meanwhile, Nevada’s own infrastructure needs – from I-15 congestion in Las Vegas to rural broadband expansion – get pushed to the back of the line.
And let’s not forget, Nevada had its own brush with high-speed rail drama. The proposed Brightline West project connecting Las Vegas to Southern California is still inching along, with ballooning costs and shifting timelines.
Thankfully, it’s mostly privately funded – but history tells us if Washington gets more involved, the price tag could shoot sky high.
No Accountability, No Consequences
In the private sector, if a builder came in triple over budget, they’d be sued or fired. But in government, nobody gets held accountable – they just ask taxpayers to fork over more money.
The problem isn’t just incompetence. It’s incentives.
Bureaucrats and contractors know there are few consequences for failure, so there’s no real reason to keep costs in check.
Critics Say It’s the Cost of Progress – But Is It?
Some defenders of the projects argue that large public works naturally evolve and costs rise over time. They say inflation, environmental reviews, and labor shortages drive the budget up.
But as Ernst’s report makes clear, it’s not just rising costs – it’s waste, mismanagement, and a complete lack of planning.
No one’s saying we shouldn’t invest in infrastructure or veterans’ healthcare. But spending two or three times what was promised, with little to show for it, helps no one.
The Tracks Are Broken
Washington needs to stop spending like Monopoly money is real. If they won’t hold anyone accountable, then voters need to start doing it themselves.
As we head into another election year, taxpayers are fed up with being the ATM for failed projects. Whether it’s rails, rockets, or record systems, it’s time to demand better.
Nevada may not be on this list – yet – but if we don’t push back, we’ll be next in line for a federal spending disaster.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
