Conservative commentator George Will expressed doubt concerning the potential impression of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), arguing his column has the identical energy because the advisory board led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
“They are an advisory committee with no formal power. My column periodically advocates cutting certain items from the budget. My column has as much power as that committee is going to have,” Will, a longtime conservative columnist for The Washington Put up, mentioned throughout his Thursday look on NewsNation’s present “The Hill.”
“Congress controls the purse strings,” Will, who can also be a NewsNation senior political contributor, added.
Each Musk and Ramaswamy met with Republican lawmakers Thursday on Capitol Hill. Some who attended the assembly expressed doubt that the newly fashioned board will meet its aim of chopping $2 trillion in spending.
“Probably half of them in there are really excited, and the other half know reality,” Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) mentioned of those that attended.
“They’re gonna offer a lot of solutions that are gonna roll off the tongue real easy but look at the margins. They’re just not gonna have the horsepower,” mentioned one GOP lawmaker, granted anonymity to talk candidly, referencing the filibuster within the Senate and the slim GOP majority within the decrease chamber.
Others emphasised that Congress would wish to behave on the proposals, or it could find yourself being a “waste of time.”
“The key to the whole thing is in that room. If Congress doesn’t have the guts to do those things that they’re talking real big about. It’s just gonna — it’s just a waste of time,” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) mentioned on Thursday.
Ramaswamy and Musk additionally met with incoming Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.) and Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will lead the Senate DOGE Caucus, whereas on the Home aspect, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) will chair a subcommittee equally centered on governmental effectivity.
Some progressives, together with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), have proven curiosity in working with DOGE leaders, notably to cut back protection spending.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said he will likely be becoming a member of the Congressional Delivering Excellent Authorities Effectivity Caucus. Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman (D) mentioned Tuesday he was excited by becoming a member of and would if requested.
Different Home Democrats are usually not followers of the board.
“You know, they haven’t asked to meet with me, but the impoundment of funds that have been appropriated by the Congress is unconstitutional and illegal,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) mentioned.
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group which additionally owns The Hill.
