Some Republican lawmakers have concerns about Elon Musk and DOGE. Here's
what they've said
[March 12, 2025]
By MEG KINNARD
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans, particularly those in Congress, have been
overwhelmingly supportive of broad cuts across the federal government at
the hands of Elon Musk ’s Department of Government Efficiency. But some
have had words of caution.
Facing blowback from constituents fearful of job reductions, some
Republicans have begun voicing public concerns about Musk — one of
President Trump's most influential advisers — and the swift spending
slashes he’s made in an effort to downsize the federal workforce.
With more reductions anticipated, here is a look at what some of those
Republican members of Congress have had to say about the reductions in
the federal civilian workforce, 80% of which is located outside
Washington, D.C., and in their states and districts:
Rep. Bill Huizenga, Michigan
“I will fully admit, I think Elon Musk has tweeted first and thought
second sometimes,” Huizenga said last week during a virtual meeting with
constituents.
“He has plunged ahead without necessarily knowing and understanding what
he legally has to do or what he is going to be doing.”
Rep. Mike Bost, Illinois
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a reorganization that
includes cutting over 80,000 jobs from the sprawling agency that
provides health care and other services for millions of veterans,
according to an internal memo obtained March 5 by The Associated Press.
Bost, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said following
that reporting that he had “questions about the impact these reductions
and discussions could have on the delivery of services, especially
following the implementation of the PACT Act” and would work “to
ultimately put veterans back at the core of VA’s mission.”
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin
Saying that he found Musk “highly receptive” when the two spoke last
week, Van Orden said in a news release that the billionaire had
“assured” him that "DOGE will be more refined in their recommendations
to ensure our vets and farmers are not hurt in the process of
eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending.”
Van Orden said he shared with Musk what he had heard from constituents,
urging him to look at veterans and farmers “with a different lens.”
Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, Virginia
Virginia's 2nd District, which Kiggans represents, is home to Virginia
Beach and its large U.S. Navy presence. It has the highest concentration
of civilian federal workers, at 8.1%, of all congressional districts
represented by Republicans. Earlier this month, Kiggans wrote to Defense
Secretary Pete Hegseth, asking him to limit layoffs for veterans. She
expressed concern that eliminating waste could mean unintentional harm
for a key GOP constituency.
[to top of second column]
|
Elon Musk leaves after meeting with Senate Republicans, at the
Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben
Curtis)
“We all understand the overarching goal, where we’re going to: again,
downsizing, cutting spending. But how are we getting there? And I think
there’s just some places to provide a gentle reminder along the way
that, please look out for our veterans,” Kiggans said.
Rep. Don Bacon, Nebraska
Bacon, who represents a swing district, has said the administration
should be more careful in how it carries out its cuts, likening his
desire to the need to “measure twice and cut once.”
Last month, as the Agriculture Department scrambled to rehire several
workers who were involved in the government’s response to the ongoing
bird flu outbreak that has devastated egg and poultry farms over the
past three years, Bacon commended Trump for “fulfilling his promise to
shed light on waste, fraud, and abuse in government” but told AP that
“downsizing decisions must be narrowly tailored to preserve critical
missions.”
Rep. Mike Simpson, Idaho
Simpson has warned that national parks could be impaired by cutbacks at
the start of summer hiring in preparation for the onslaught of visitors.
“We need to have a conversation with DOGE and the administration about
exactly what they’ve done here,” Simpson, a seasoned lawmaker who sits
on the powerful Appropriations Committee, said last month. “It’s a
concern to all of us.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
In reaction to the VA cuts memo, the chair of the Senate Budget
Committee said he was displeased that the VA had not given lawmakers an
advance notification of the changes, saying it was “political
malpractice not to consult Congress.”
“Maybe you’ve got a good reason to do it,” Graham said last week,
leaving a lunch with Musk. “But we don’t need to be reading memos in the
paper about a 20% cut at the VA.”
Sen. Katie Britt, Alabama
Last month, Britt put out a statement calling for a “targeted approach”
in ensuring that proposed caps on the National Institutes of Health
don't hit what she called “life-saving, groundbreaking research at
high-achieving institutions,” including her state’s beloved University
of Alabama.
“While the administration works to achieve this goal at NIH, a smart,
targeted approach is needed,” Britt said.
Sen. Jerry Moran, Kansas
Moran has expressed concern that food from heartland farmers would spoil
rather than be sent around the world as the U.S. Agency for
International Development shutters.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
