Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has introduced a series of eight bills designed to bolster the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, spearheaded by President-elect Donald Trump. These legislative efforts aim to address government spending and streamline operations, fulfilling a key promise made to the American public.
Lankford, a founding member of the DOGE caucus, emphasized the public's call for fiscal responsibility, stating, "The American people gave Washington a mandate in November—waste less, save more. These bills are a first step toward honoring that mandate by streamlining regulations, rule-making, and record keeping. It’s time to tackle government waste and let DOGE get to work."
The bills target various aspects of government function, including telework policies for federal employees, clarification of agency guidelines, and early notification requirements for major policy changes. One bill, the "Improving Federal Financial Management Act," seeks to enhance agency performance by evaluating their financial metrics. Another, the "TRUE Accountability Act," mandates agencies to develop internal operational plans for crisis scenarios.
DOGE, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending. Lankford's "ACCESS Act" addresses government contract discussions by prohibiting minimum education requirements for contractor personnel in specific situations. The "STEP Act" focuses on strengthening financial controls to reduce fraud and improper payments.
Lankford's legislative push aligns with the broader Republican effort to implement policy changes quickly after Trump's inauguration. The Senate DOGE caucus, led by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), has been particularly critical of federal agency telework policies.
These initiatives reflect a concerted effort by Republicans to address government efficiency and fiscal responsibility as a top priority in the upcoming administration.
