The Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency convened a hearing titled "Locking in the DOGE Cuts: Ending Waste, Fraud, and Abuse for Good" to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts in reducing wasteful spending. The subcommittee highlighted significant taxpayer savings achieved through DOGE's initiatives and stressed the importance of Congress codifying these reforms.
Dan Lips from the Foundation for American Innovation testified about DOGE's impact under President Trump's administration, stating that it has identified between $100 to $180 billion in savings by eliminating over 1.7 million words from federal regulations. David Burton from The Heritage Foundation emphasized that while DOGE is a step towards fiscal responsibility, congressional action is necessary to realize full savings.
Matthew Dickerson from the Economic Policy Innovation Center suggested that reducing the federal workforce by ten percent could save up to $608 billion over a decade. He also addressed issues with improper payments, noting Medicaid's $1.1 trillion spent improperly over ten years.
Subcommittee Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called for adjustments in federal funding levels to solidify DOGE reforms and reduce non-discretionary spending by $163 billion as proposed by President Trump.
Rep. Eric Burlison questioned what would compel Congress to enact these cuts, while Rep. Brian Jack raised concerns about improper payments during the Biden Administration. Mr. Dickerson advocated for using technology like AI to ensure only eligible individuals receive benefits.
Chairwoman Greene also questioned Ms. Emily DiVito from Groundwork Collaborative regarding government funding for gender transition surgeries for minors, leading to a contentious exchange.
The hearing underscored the need for legislative action to institutionalize cost-saving measures initiated by DOGE and address long-standing fiscal challenges.
