The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, is gaining unexpected bipartisan traction. Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida has become the first Democrat to join the House DOGE Caucus, signaling a potential shift in how federal spending reform is approached across party lines.
Moskowitz has called for the DOGE commission to prioritize an examination of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), suggesting a reorganization that would establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Secret Service as independent agencies.
“The Department of Homeland Security has become too big,” Moskowitz said in a statement. “You’re seeing issues within FEMA and the Secret Service that stem from this giant bureaucracy. We need to have the tough conversations about efficiency and accountability, and Democrats should be part of that conversation,” Moskowitz said Wednesday.
The DOGE initiative aims to identify waste, fraud, and inefficiencies within the nearly $7 trillion federal budget. The caucus, helmed by Republican lawmakers, has attracted support from figures like Senator Joni Ernst, who has described the effort as a two-year mission to overhaul federal spending before sunsetting the organization.
Moskowitz’s involvement underscores a growing recognition that bipartisan cooperation is needed to address the nation’s budgetary challenges.
READ: Trump Slams WSJ Over DEA Pick Hillsborough County Sheriff “Setback” Saying “I Pulled Him Out”
“We shouldn’t run to a safe space,” Moskowitz said. “We should run into the room and have this argument. There will be disagreements, but where we agree, we owe it to the American people to make government more efficient and save taxpayer dollars.”
Moskowitz and other lawmakers believe technology could play a key role in modernizing government operations and cutting costs. “The federal government is not using technology anywhere near the level it should,” Moskowitz said. “Bringing in advanced technology could make government services more efficient without compromising quality.”
He also highlighted the need for fiscal responsibility, pointing to the nation’s $2 trillion annual budget deficit. “We haven’t had a balanced budget since Bill Clinton,” he said. “We need to figure out how to get back there.”
READ: Pete Hegseth’s Mother Calls On Americans To ‘Disregard’ Media After Private Email Went Public
Public sentiment appears to be aligning with the initiative as well, particularly in light of staggering figures like the $150 billion cost of illegal immigration in 2023, which has drawn comparisons to major historical expenditures such as the Apollo Program and the Manhattan Project.
As Democrats and Republicans work to find common ground, Moskowitz remains optimistic about the potential for meaningful reforms. “This can be done, and it should be done,” he said. “We’re not talking about eliminating services Americans depend on, but we can save money and do it more efficiently. The answer is yes.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.