A House Democrat has admitted the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will likely find examples of fiscal irresponsibility when the department looks into the federal government’s books.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Thursday that DOGE, headed by billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, would find “awful examples” of wasteful government spending, according to The Hill.
During an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Khanna reportedly said that the findings should be brought before Congress, which according to the U.S. Constitution, is responsible for appropriating government funds.
“I think they are likely to find awful examples of wasteful spending. I don’t contest that. I’m sure they can legitimately offer transparency and sunlight to the American people. Just come to Congress, show us what you’re finding, and then force up or down votes,” Khanna said. “And if Ro Khanna still votes for those wasteful spending, I’ll have to answer back home.”
Part of the issue Khanna has with Musk’s approach is that he appears to be making decisions without the voice of Congress, with Khanna stating that Musk can’t “just to stop the payments or make these decisions unilaterally.”
“I don’t think it’s effective,” the lawmaker said.
He added that both President Donald Trump and Musk can “actually have a partner with Congress to tell the American people what’s wrong. And if you have a good case, the American people will demand those cuts.”
Khanna reportedly said he is open to having a partnership with Trump and Musk, noting he was one of the few House Democrats who was willing to work to reduce government waste.
“When the president and Elon Musk said that they wanted to bring transparency to government, expose waste and fraud, I was one of the Democrats who said, ‘OK, let’s work to see where that can happen,'” Khanna said.
Khanna reiterated his issue is with the lack of input from elected officials in relation to DOGE and warned that ignoring this by charging ahead with their own plans, could violate the U.S. Constitution.
“The problem I have is, come to Congress, show where the fraud is, show where the wasteful spending is and force an up or down vote,” Khanna said. “Don’t make that decision unilaterally. That just, in my view, violates the Constitution. So, if he wants to show that there’s a lot of wasteful spending, come to Congress, force us to vote on it.”
