Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The Congressional DOGE Caucus’s plans to reduce government waste are coming into focus after the group’s second closed-door meeting Wednesday.
Caucus leaders are dividing lawmakers into eight task forces focused on different sectors to cut waste. They will focus on retirement, social and family safety nets, emergency supplemental funding, energy permits, homeland security, defense and veterans, the workforce and government operations, according to a document seen by Fox News Digital.
Co-Chairs Aaron Bean, R-Fla., and Pete Sessions, R-Texas, challenged lawmakers on the floor to introduce at least one government efficiency-related bill in the 119th Congress.
REPUBLICANS GIVE DETAILS OF CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS WITH DOGE’S MUSK, RAMASWAMY
The Congressional DOGE Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Aaron Bean (pictured), Pete Sessions and Blake Moore, held its second meeting (House of Representatives/Getty Images)
Both told Fox News Digital it was just one of a coordinated effort the caucus is planning as it aims to be the legislative underpinning for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that is co-led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
“We are we’re going to aim for a day when we leave laws, a day when we go to the ground and talk to the American people,” Sessions told Fox News Digital.
Bean expounded on the idea, calling it “Twelve Days.”
“We’re going to have a day where we hope we can put together 20, 30 bills and all the DOGE members come up, boom, we’re on them,” Bean said. “We’re going to have great teamwork and great synergy and momentum.”
They asked attendees to fill out a survey, a copy of which was obtained by Fox News Digital, indicating which task forces they would like to be a part of.
DANIEL PENNY TO BE UP FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL FOR HOUSE GOP LEGISLATOR
Representative Pete Sessions, Co-Chair of the Congressional DOGE Caucus (Getty Images)
During the closed-door meeting, lawmakers also took turns discussing their own ideas for reducing government waste.
Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., called for a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to balance the federal budget.
And Rep. Jeff Van Drew, RN.J., suggested cutting Child Tax Credit eligibility for illegal immigrants.
“Currently, we’re not careful enough … when illegal aliens get a child tax credit, a child care tax credit. That’s ridiculous. You know, so that’s my point, is that those are the easy things to do, the low-hanging fruit,” Van Drew told Fox News Digital when asked about his meeting comments.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who leads the DOGE effort underway the Senate side and also attended Wednesday’s House meeting, urged lawmakers to work with their upper chamber counterparts on bicameral bills.
Legislators have been enthusiastic about the goals set by Musk and Ramaswamy’s new panel. Commissioned by President-elect Trump, the group is an advisory group that aims to recommend where the executive branch can reduce government waste.
Senator Joni Ernst, who leads DOGE’s efforts in the Senate, also attended (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The DOGE Caucus is a bet to do Trump’s thing cost reduction initiatives permanent through legislation.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The group opened an email tip line that, according to Bean and Sessions, has already received more than 15,000 emails.
Bean said he was surprised but pleased by the enthusiasm.
Sessions added, “I’ve probably received 200 letters here that were actually written, and some were written, that said, ‘Thank you for doing this.’ I’d like you to hear from me.’ And that’s a recognition of the American people who also have skin in the game.”
