Conservatives warn GOP leaders against hamstringing DOGE ahead of shutdown deadline
Conservative lawmakers in both the House and Senate are issuing a warning to Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune against agreeing to restrict the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in an upcoming spending bill as the government shutdown deadline of March 14 approaches.
In a letter penned by Sen. Rick Scott and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, they expressed their deep concerns over reports of Democrats’ demands for a funding agreement that would maintain wasteful spending practices. The lawmakers emphasized that any attempt to limit the President’s authority to save taxpayer dollars through legislation must be rejected outright.
The letter was also endorsed by 19 other Republicans, including prominent Senators like Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Marsha Blackburn, and Ted Budd, as well as Representatives such as Ralph Norman, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar. Scott, who recently took over as the chairman of the Republican Senate Steering Committee, highlighted their readiness to collaborate with congressional leadership to keep the government operational but stressed their opposition to any measures that could hinder President Trump’s efforts to fulfill his promises to the American people.
Speaker Johnson, in a recent appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” affirmed that the GOP would not entertain any efforts to curtail the President’s authority in the spending bill negotiations. He emphasized the need for a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to avoid a shutdown and reiterated the party’s stance against tying the President’s hands.
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Thune refrained from commenting on the matter. The looming deadline for a potential government shutdown has prompted both parties to engage in discussions to reach a consensus on the spending bill. While Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative have been working to streamline government operations and reduce wasteful spending, Democrats have raised concerns about the impact of widespread cuts and layoffs.
As negotiations continue, Democrats are seeking assurances that the appropriated funds will be spent as directed by Congress, shielded from any interference by DOGE. This demand could potentially manifest as a provision in the spending bill that restricts the department’s authority.
With the shutdown deadline fast approaching, Republicans will need Democratic support to pass the bill in both chambers. While a majority vote is sufficient in the House, the Senate requires a bipartisan agreement with at least seven Democratic votes. The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, as both parties navigate the complex terrain of government funding and budget allocations.
In the midst of these deliberations, the House Freedom Caucus and the Senate Steering Committee are standing firm in their commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent government spending. As the deadline looms closer, all eyes are on Capitol Hill to see how this high-stakes negotiation unfolds.
