Florida governor urges Congress to follow state’s lead on cutting government waste
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is urging House Republicans to take a page out of the Sunshine State’s successful implementation of “DOGE”-type governance and start cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse identified by the executive branch organization. DeSantis highlighted the efforts of Elon Musk, who faced significant backlash and personal attacks to lead the charge on DOGE.
In a recent post, DeSantis expressed his disappointment in congressional Republicans for not doing enough to support DOGE. He echoed sentiments from former government scientist Matt van Swol, who criticized Republicans for failing to prioritize spending reductions. DeSantis emphasized that DOGE has been one of the most popular government initiatives in history, with widespread support for cutting government waste.
The governor pointed to Florida’s successful implementation of DOGE-type policies, which have led to increased affordability, lower taxes, and a reduction in waste and fraud. He highlighted the state’s efforts in paying down a significant portion of its accumulated debt and compared the average Floridian’s share of state debt to the federal burden.
DeSantis commended Musk for his efforts in advocating for DOGE despite facing backlash and attacks from the media. He criticized Republican Congress for failing to implement any DOGE cuts, calling for a balanced budget amendment and term limits for members of Congress.
While Rep. Thomas Massie also raised concerns about the lack of action on DOGE cuts, a top aide to House Speaker Mike Johnson disputed claims that rescission votes were canceled. House Republicans were unable to include DOGE cuts in the recent “big beautiful bill” due to restrictions on dealing with mandatory spending concerns.
Moving forward, House Republicans have two options – wait for a formal rescission request from the Office of Management and Budget Director or try to pass separate legislation through the appropriations process. The latter option would require 60 votes, while a rescission request only needs a simple majority.
Despite facing challenges in passing DOGE cuts, Republicans have had success in putting Democrats in a bind through the appropriations process. The passage of massive bills earlier this year led to some Democrats turning on their leader for ultimately voting to fund the government.
DeSantis and Johnson were reached out for comment, and the push for DOGE cuts continues as Republicans navigate the legislative process. With a focus on reducing waste and improving efficiency, the implementation of DOGE-type governance remains a priority for DeSantis and his supporters.
