Top DOGE senator demands answers on plan to exhaust CHIPs Act funds before Trump arrives
In an exclusive report, a top U.S. senator is expected to demand answers from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo regarding her reported plans to exhaust the remaining funds from the CHIPs and Science Act before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
Senate DOGE Caucus leader Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, is set to deliver a letter to Raimondo expressing concern over her directive to expedite spending of billions of dollars allocated by the CHIPs and Science Act. Ernst urges Raimondo to halt all last-minute spending initiatives immediately.
Raimondo recently disclosed her desire to obligate nearly all of the funding from the CHIPs Act, a major government spending initiative under President Biden, before the end of her term. The CHIPs Act, spearheaded by former Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, focuses on enhancing domestic semiconductor manufacturing, research, and development.
Ernst emphasized the importance of microchips and other essential goods in bolstering the U.S. economy and supply chain. She stressed that the success of the CHIPs Act hinges on meticulous planning and execution, which she believes are lacking in Raimondo’s accelerated spending approach.
Ernst criticized the rush to spend billions without proper oversight, citing previous instances where COVID-19 response funds were misused or subject to fraud. She expressed concerns about the escalating national debt and emphasized the need for responsible fiscal management.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Ernst highlighted the Biden administration’s aggressive spending spree and emphasized the importance of oversight and accountability in government expenditures. She questioned the level of scrutiny that would be applied to the remaining CHIPs Act appropriations.
In her letter to Raimondo, Ernst requested details on ongoing negotiations with CHIPs Act fund applicants, project durations, and expenditure breakdowns before and after Trump’s election victory. She also inquired about coordination with the incoming Trump administration on this issue.
As Raimondo prepares to transition out of her role, Ernst called for transparency and accountability in the final rounds of CHIPs Act spending. She underscored the need for prudent financial management and urged Raimondo to provide clarity on these critical matters.
The article also mentions Trump’s selection of Howard Lutnick to succeed Raimondo as Commerce Secretary. Raimondo’s response to the concerns raised by Ernst was quoted, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the Commerce Department’s actions.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News Digital.
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