The Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus is a group established in November 2024 within the United States Congress. Its primary objective is to collaborate with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.[1] [2]
The DOGE Caucus was co-founded by Representatives Aaron Bean (R-FL) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) on November 19, 2024. In the Senate, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) was appointed to lead the corresponding Senate DOGE Caucus on November 22, 2024. The House counterpart functions as a subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).[3]
The caucus aims to support the Department of Government Efficiency in its mission to dismantle excessive government bureaucracy, reduce unnecessary regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies. This initiative aligns with President-elect Donald Trump's directive to Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who were appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency.[4]
Members of the DOGE Caucus have expressed a commitment to identifying and eliminating inefficiencies within the federal government. Representative Bean emphasized the urgency of addressing the national debt, which has surpassed $36 trillion, and the need to prevent fiscal decline. Similarly, Representative Sessions, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, highlighted the importance of combating waste, fraud, and abuse, citing a Government Accountability Office report indicating over $2.7 trillion in improper payments since 2003.
The caucus works closely with the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, to implement strategies aimed at reducing federal spending and enhancing governmental efficiency. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fiscal responsibility and the optimization of government operations.[5] [6]
The establishment of the DOGE Caucus has garnered attention for its ambitious goals of reducing government spending and bureaucracy. While supporters advocate for increased efficiency and fiscal responsibility, critics express skepticism regarding the feasibility of achieving significant budget cuts without affecting essential services. Concerns have also been raised about potential conflicts of interest, given the private sector backgrounds of key figures involved in the Department of Government Efficiency.