Republicans forge ahead with government efficiency plans after Musk leaves DOGE
The House DOGE Caucus, led by Chairman Aaron Bean, is gearing up to continue its mission of rooting out government waste and streamlining bureaucracy well beyond the departure of Tesla CEO Elon Musk from the Department of Government Efficiency. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Bean expressed his commitment to delivering real solutions for the American people and ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely.
With 110 members, the House DOGE Caucus is laser-focused on enacting meaningful change. One of their upcoming initiatives includes changing the Treasury’s payment system to curb improper disbursements, which currently amount to about $162 billion in wrongful payments each year. Musk, during his tenure, collaborated with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to address systemic issues within the department.
The Caucus also aims to work closely with House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass $9.4 billion in rescissions identified by DOGE and presented to Congress for action by OMB Director Russ Vought. Despite facing criticism for moving slowly on proposed cuts, GOP leadership sources explained that a formal request from Vought or separate bills outside the Big Beautiful Bill Act were necessary to avoid jeopardizing Senate reconciliation eligibility.
On the Senate side, DOGE caucus chairwoman Joni Ernst is leading efforts to combat COVID aid fraud. Ernst highlighted a recent government report on potential fraud in COVID relief programs, flagging nearly $80 billion in potentially fraudulent payouts due to lack of proper verification processes. She announced plans to introduce the DOGE in Spending Act to prevent similar oversight issues in the future.
The bill, inspired by Musk’s legacy, aims to prevent con artists from exploiting government aid programs and ensure that taxpayer funds are protected. Ernst emphasized the importance of preventing preventable fraud, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both the House and Senate DOGE caucuses are committed to carrying on Musk’s work and upholding the principles of accountability and fiscal responsibility. Their efforts to streamline government operations and eliminate wasteful spending will continue to drive policy decisions and shape the future of government efficiency in the United States.
