Musk and Ramaswamy Present DOGE Vision to Lawmakers
Washington, Thursday, 5 December 2024.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy discuss Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at Capitol Hill, proposing significant federal cuts and restructuring, with a goal to reduce waste.
Key Meeting Details and Objectives
On December 5, 2024, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the ambitious Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative [1][2]. The meeting, hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), aims to explore major reform ideas for reducing government waste [1]. The DOGE initiative, created by President-elect Trump on November 12, 2024 [1], proposes dramatic changes including a 75 percent reduction in the federal workforce and a $2 trillion cut in federal spending [2].
Bipartisan Interest and Implementation Plans
The initiative has garnered support across party lines, with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) becoming the first Democratic member to join the DOGE caucus [2][3]. The project has a defined timeline, with completion targeted for July 4, 2026 [1][2]. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has established a Senate DOGE caucus, while Representatives Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas) lead a House group with approximately three dozen members [2][3].
Past Tensions and Current Collaboration
Notably, this partnership comes despite Ramaswamy’s previous criticism of Musk’s business ties to China [4]. In May 2023, Ramaswamy had expressed concerns about Tesla’s dependence on China and criticized Musk’s stance on various international issues [4]. However, both leaders have now united under Trump’s vision, with Republican senators expressing strong support for their framework [5]. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) stated he was ‘very impressed’ with their objectives [5].
Structural Implementation and Oversight
The initiative includes establishing a DOGE Subcommittee in January 2025, to be chaired by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) [1]. The proposed structure involves a three-step plan: appointing a czar, embedding lawyers in agencies to identify unconstitutional regulations, and presenting findings for executive action [2]. Public accountability measures will include a tip line for reporting waste and a public scoreboard for tracking cuts [6]. However, good-government advocates emphasize the need for transparency, with the current federal budget standing at $6 trillion with a $1.8 trillion deficit [6].