Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) said billionaire Elon Musk should take a “half-step back” as government efficiency (DOGE) takes steps to reduce the size of the federal workforce and eliminate so-called wasted government spending.
in A quick interview With CNN's Manu Raju on Wednesday – shortly before Musk was scheduled to meet with House Republicans – McCormick told Raju that Musk had advice before the meeting.
“If he's just going to take a step back, we'll do what we think is both compassionate and influential when it comes to saving Americans' money,” McCormick said.
Raju pressed McCormick to explain what he meant by “hard step back.”
“He admits things,” McCormick said of the mask. “He said, 'Look, we're doing some wrong, but we're learning.' ”
McCormick is one of the Republican lawmakers facing a massive public uprising from constituents who are upset by Musk-inspired Dodge's cut.
At a city hall meeting last month, McCormick was faced with difficult questions about government layoffs. McCormick's district is not far from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters, which saw hundreds of employees layoffs.
A Republican senator also met with Musk on Wednesday, telling him that his aggressive move to reduce the federal government would require a vote for Capitol Hill.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (Rs.C.) said the Senate GOP meeting has a broad desire to vote for Doge's recommendation cuts.
“Yes, yes, 100%. You should do that, like yesterday,” Graham said.
“You can do regulatory reforms without us, but anything that doesn't fit within it [budget] The settlement must take place through retirement,” he added.
