House Republicans Move to Codify DOGE Cuts, Sparking Deep Congressional Rift

Washington, D.C. – House Republicans, led by Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), have introduced a bill to formally enshrine the sweeping federal spending cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial agency headed by Elon Musk and Acting Administrator Amy Gleason. The legislation, co-sponsored by Reps. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), and Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), aims to establish a direct reporting line between DOGE and the presidential Cabinet, granting the agency expanded authority to implement cost-saving measures across the federal government.

Details of the Legislation

The bill would require all federal agencies to cooperate with DOGE in executing initiatives designed to eliminate waste and fraud, with supporters claiming DOGE has already delivered over $115 billion in taxpayer savings. Notable actions cited include the cancellation of 104 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts and the exposure of questionable research expenditures, such as $8 million spent on transgender experiments on mice. Rep. Mills has also called for DOGE to audit the Department of Defense, highlighting persistent failures in Pentagon financial accountability.

Political and Legal Backlash

Despite these claims, the push to codify DOGE’s actions has triggered fierce debate on Capitol Hill. Senate Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), have voiced concerns about shifting budgetary power from Congress to the executive branch, referencing the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which restricts the president’s authority to withhold funds appropriated by Congress. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has questioned the urgency of the bill, suggesting Congress should focus on other legislative priorities.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), a former DOGE caucus member, declared the bipartisan group “defunct,” criticizing the lack of congressional oversight over Musk’s decisions. The White House, facing mounting legal challenges—including a recent order by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to release DOGE records—is reportedly considering a two-year window to secure legislative approval or contest existing laws in court.

Impact and Controversy

DOGE’s unilateral actions have included the termination of thousands of federal employees and the cancellation of contracts exceeding $200 million, moves that have drawn both praise and alarm. Fiscal conservatives like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) argue that even larger cuts are necessary, while critics warn that without congressional backing, DOGE’s measures could be easily reversed by future administrations.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly chastised House Republicans for not moving quickly enough to codify DOGE’s cuts, calling it a “betrayal” of voters and lamenting continued funding for agencies like USAID. The House recently passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which proposes over $1.5 trillion in spending reductions over the next decade but also extends Trump-era tax cuts, potentially increasing the deficit.

The Road Ahead

With the Senate divided and Democrats warning of the consequences of rapid federal downsizing, the future of DOGE’s agenda remains uncertain. The White House is preparing for a protracted legislative and legal battle, as DOGE’s $14.4 million budget and access to sensitive government data continue to face scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdogs alike.

As the debate intensifies, the fate of DOGE’s reforms—and the broader question of how aggressively to shrink the federal government—will remain at the forefront of Washington’s political battles in the months ahead.