DOGE cuts federal obligations by additional 1.9% since last month
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made significant strides in reducing federal obligations, with a recent announcement stating a decrease of approximately 1.9% in annual non-defense federal obligations since last month. This marks a total reduction of 22.4%, or roughly $25 billion, compared to 2024.
The initiative to cut wasteful spending, in line with the DOGE Cost Efficiency Executive Order, has been successful in achieving these reductions. The Department continues to prioritize efficiency and responsible allocation of resources.
In a related development, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun rehiring over 450 employees who were previously let go during the DOGE cuts. These employees come from various divisions within the agency’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, the National Center for Environmental Health, the Immediate Office of the Director, and the Global Health Center.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explained that some of the personnel who were cut should not have been, and the decision to reinstate them was always part of the plan. While the goal is to achieve an 80% reduction in spending, mistakes are inevitable, and a portion of those cuts will need to be reversed.
In addition to the HHS rehires, other government agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, Food and Drug Administration, State Department, and Department of Housing and Urban Development, have also started rehiring employees who were previously laid off during the DOGE cuts.
However, there have been challenges along the way, including a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote of the Southern District of New York to restrict DOGE’s access to federal databases. The Trump administration had argued that such limitations hindered the agency’s ability to effectively root out fraud, particularly in accessing Social Security information.
Overall, the efforts of DOGE to streamline federal spending and enhance efficiency have been met with both successes and obstacles. The commitment to responsible governance and prudent financial management remains a top priority for the Department.
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