'Waste less, save more': DOGE caucus member rolls out expansive bill package ahead of Trump inauguration
2025-01-14
Category: political

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., is rolling out several new bills to help forward the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) mission once President-elect Donald Trump enters office.&nbsp; The senator's six bills would target telework for federal employees, require agency guidances to clarify they are not laws and mandate early notice ahead of new major policy proposals from federal agencies, among other measures.&nbsp; MEET LEADER JOHN THUNE'S ALL-STAR CABINET AS REPUBLICANS TAKE OVER SENATE MAJORITY  "The American people gave Washington a mandate in November—waste less, save more. Today&nbsp;I’m introducing a first set of bills to follow through on their mandate by prioritizing streamlined regulations, rule-making, and record keeping. It’s time to put government waste in the doghouse and let&nbsp;DOGE&nbsp;get to work,"&nbsp;Lankford said in a statement to Fox News Digital.&nbsp; DOGE was previously announced by Trump, who tapped billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the new advisory board looking to cut government waste.&nbsp; SCHUMER DIRECTS DEMS TO PUT PRESSURE ON TRUMP NOMINEES AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS  Several of Lankford's DOGE bills focus on federal agencies and their perceived shortcomings. The "Improving Federal Financial Management Act" would address agencies' performances and evaluate how they stack up when weighed against their financial metrics.&nbsp; The "TRUE Accountability Act" would charge agencies with coming up with plans to operate internally if there is ever a crisis.&nbsp; SENATE GOP TEES UP CONFIRMATION HEARING BLITZ IN EFFORT TO MEET AMBITIOUS TRUMP TARGETS  Additionally, Lankford is including the "ACCESS Act," which would prohibit minimum education requirements when it comes to government contractor personnel during certain federal contract discussions.&nbsp; The Oklahoma Republican's slew of bills are just the latest from senators in the GOP eager to get involved with DOGE.&nbsp; TULSI GABBARD CHANGES TUNE ON CONTROVERSIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL FOLLOWING GOP LOBBYING  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Senate DOGE caucus is being led by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who has been a vocal critic of federal agencies and their telework policies in particular.&nbsp; Republicans have sought to introduce many bills ahead of Trump's inauguration with the hope of getting the process started, so that certain policies can be put in motion shortly after he takes office.&nbsp;