Some Republican lawmakers have concerns about Elon Musk and DOGE. Here’s what they’ve said

By Meg Kinnard the Related Press

Washington (AP) – Republicans, particularly these within the congress, have been overwhelming supportive of broad cuts by the federal authorities via the arms of Elon Musk The Division of Authorities Effectivity. However some have had warning phrases.

Confronted with the recoil of voters who’re afraid of bean reductions, some Republicans began expressing public considerations about Musk – one in all President Trump’s most influential advisers – and the Swift expenditure succeeds He has achieved to scale back the federal workforce.

With extra anticipated reductions, here’s a have a look at what a few of these Republican members of the congress need to say concerning the reductions of the federal civilian individual’s file, 80% of that are exterior Washington, DC and of their states and districts:

Rep. Invoice Huizenga, Michigan

“I’ll admit utterly, I believe Elon Musk first tweeted and typically thought second,” stated Huizenga final week throughout a digital assembly with voters.

“He went forward with out essentially figuring out and understanding what he ought to do by regulation or what he’s going to do.”

Rep. Mike Bost, Illinois

The Division of Veterans Affairs is planning a reorganization that features greater than 80,000 jobs from the huge company Offers healthcare and other services for millions of veterans, in keeping with An internal memo Obtained on March 5 by the Related Press.

Bost, who’s chairman of the Huisveteran Affairs Committee, stated after that report that he “had questions concerning the influence that these reductions and discussions might have on the supply of companies, particularly after the implementation of the Pact Act” and would “work to ultimately restore veterans within the core of VA mission.”

Rep. Derrick van Orden, Wisconsin

He stated that he discovered Musk ‘very receptive’ when the 2 spoke final week, Van Orden stated in a press launch that the billionaire had ‘assured’ that ‘doge will probably be extra refined of their suggestions to make sure that our veterinarians aren’t injured in eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending.’

Van Orden stated that he shared with Musk what he had heard of voters and inspired him to take a look at veterans and farmers ‘with a unique lens’.

Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, Virginia

The 2nd district of Virginia, which represents Kiggans, is the house of Virginia Seashore and the nice presence of the American Navy. It has the Highest concentration of civil federal employeesWith 8.1percentof all convention districts represented by Republicans. Earlier this month, Kiggans wrote to Minister of Protection Pete Hegseeth and requested him to restrict dismissed for veterans. She expressed his concern that eliminating waste might imply unintended harm for an necessary Gop -Kies district.

“All of us perceive the umbrella aim, the place we’re going: once more, shrinking, decreasing bills. However how can we get there? And I believe there are just a few locations to supply a tender reminiscence on the best way that, please watch our veterans, “stated Kiggans.

Rep. Don Bacon, Nebraska

Bacon, who represents a Swing district, has stated that the administration should be extra cautious in how it’s finishing up its cuts, which compares his want with the necessity to “measure twice and minimize it as soon as”.

Final month, whereas the agricultural division crawled to rent varied staff who have been concerned within the authorities’s response to the continuous outbreak of bird flu That has destroyed eggs and poultry farms within the final three years, praised Bacon Trump as a result of he “fulfilled his promise to make clear waste, fraud and abuse within the authorities” however told AP That “choices shrink should be adjusted considerably to retain crucial missions.”

Rep. Mike Simpson, Idaho

Simpson has warned that nationwide parks might be affected by spending cuts at the start of the summer season in preparation for the assault of tourists.

“We have now to have a dialog with Doge and the administration about precisely what they’ve achieved right here,” stated Simpson, a seasoned legislator who’s within the highly effective credit score committee final month. “It is a concern for all of us.”

Senator Lindsey Graham, South Carolina

In response to the VA Memo, the chairman of the Senate Funds Committee stated that he was not happy that the VA had not given the legislators an advance of the modifications and stated that “political mispractice was to not seek the advice of the congress.”

“Possibly you’ve gotten a superb cause to do it,” stated Graham final week and left a lunch with Musk. “However we do not have to learn memos within the newspaper, about 20% minimize on the VA.”

Senator Katie Britt, Alabama

Final month, Britt made an announcement during which a “focused strategy” known as to make sure that proposed Caps on the National Institutes of Health Do not contact what they referred to as ‘life -saving, groundbreaking research At establishments with excessive efficiency, ‘together with the beloved College of Alabama of her state.

“Though the administration works to realize this aim at NIH, a wise, focused strategy is required,” stated Britt.

Sen. Jerry Moran, Kansas

Moran has expressed his concern Food from Heartland Farmers would spoil as an alternative of sending the world just like the US Agency for International Development Shutters.

___

Kinnard might be reached at http://x.com/megkinnardap

Initially printed: March 12, 2025 at 9:17 am Edt