WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Mike Pence's group on Thursday called on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-directors of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to eliminate benefits for illegal immigrants and ban DEI funding, among other issues. strongly called for cuts in government spending. According to a memo obtained exclusively by The Post.
Advancing American Freedom called on DOGE leaders to trim fat from the federal bureaucracy and cut many big-ticket spending programs. Some of them were imposed by the administration of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, including provisions of the $740 billion Inflation Control Act (Ira).
“Americans want less government in their lives, and they want the government to spend less money on wasteful, eye-opening programs,” said AAF President Tim Chapman. “There is,” he said.
“Advancing American Freedom wants to help advance DOGE’s vision of improving the lives of ordinary Americans,” Chapman added, adding that DOGE “wants to navigate the overwhelming maze of bureaucracy.” “I want the government to open up and reassure the American people that they are responsible for how they conduct themselves.” tax money is used. ”
The memo would end federal benefit programs aimed at assisting undocumented immigrants, ban federal funding for programs that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and prevent COVID-19. We are seeking recovery of unused funds.
It would also force Republicans to repeal the Democratic Party's “Green New Deal” provisions in IRAs, block hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan cancellation through a program launched by Biden's Education Department, and It urges the government to bring back spending on things other than defense. Level of new coronavirus.
Another long-standing Republican priority on the list was requiring all able-bodied workers to be excluded from welfare.
Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy traveled to Washington on Thursday to discuss the unprecedented budget-cutting plan with Republican lawmakers, many of whom welcomed their ideas.
DOGE, named after the virtual currency whose mascot is a Shiba Inu, will work to shut down overburdened government agencies and fire ineffective public servants, Musk and Ramaswamy said.
“We need to use public funds appropriately,” Musk told reporters on his way back from a meeting with soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).
Most Republicans in Congress support a smaller federal government, but DOGE, which is not a government department, could run into hurdles for budget cuts if a small number of Republicans push back in Congress. .
“Two people who know nothing about how government works, have a decent pulpit to preach from, have the ear of an unpredictable president, and still pretend they can cut $1 trillion? Disaster,” Republicans said. one senior aide said. Outraged by Punch Bowl News.
“The only good thing is that at some point they overpromise and get rejected. [President-elect Donald] Mr. Trump. But until then…it's a disaster. ”
But so far, their ideas have received positive public feedback from Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introducing legislation to strengthen DOGE efforts.
FOX News' Martha McCollum asked House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) on Wednesday whether it was possible to pass Mr. Musk's plan to reduce 428 government agencies to 99.
Prime Minister Johnson responded: “We certainly want that and we want to be active partners in that.” The Supreme Court's overturning of the 1984 Chevron Principles earlier this year meant that dictatorship It is a sign that control is being taken back from federal regulators.
“This is new, this is a new day in Washington, this is a new day in America. We have long lamented the size and scope of government, that government has become too big,” Johnson said. told reporters in the hallway Thursday.
“There is a huge amount of waste, fraud and abuse.”
Musk was Trump's top confidant at Mar-a-Lago in the weeks following the 45th president's re-election, advising him on transition efforts and participating in telephone conversations with foreign dignitaries. did.
DOGE's efforts are similar to what Mr. Musk did at Twitter Inc. (now Company It was born as a natural progression of eradication.
“We're talking about actually making government work better and getting taxpayers to contribute more,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) said on CNBC's “Squawk Box” before Musk and Ramaswamy were seated. It's a fresh idea.” .
“Here in Washington, probably 75% of federal employees are still not coming to work, using the coronavirus as an excuse.”
“This swamp is elitist and bipartisan,” Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) told X ahead of his meeting with both men.
“I look forward to hearing from you. [Elon Musk] and [Vivek Ramaswamy] Today on Capitol Hill. ”
Disdain for unelected, meddling government officials was central to Mr. Ramaswamy's own presidential campaign — and he hopes to continue that tone in the second Trump administration.
“I have a passion for breaking down bureaucracy,” Ramaswamy told the Post in late October.
“And that’s something I’ve been vocal about for the past two years.”
