Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) criticized congressional Republicans on Tuesday for struggling to pass a rescissions package that would codify spending cuts made under the Department of Government Efficiency.
He cited the sacrifices DOGE leader Elon Musk made in his businesses and personal life as he led these efforts, suggesting they would be in vain if Republicans didn’t codify the cuts.
“To see Republicans in Congress cast aside any meaningful spending reductions (and, in fact, fully fund things like USAID) is demoralizing and represents a betrayal of the voters who elected them,” DeSantis posted on X.
He said Musk “took massive incoming — including attacks on his companies as well as personal smears — to lead the effort on” DOGE cuts, adding that “he became public enemy #1 of legacy media around the world.”
Since Musk teamed up with President Donald Trump to tackle “waste, fraud, and abuse” in the government, Tesla’s stock has plummeted, as have its sales. Tesla vehicles, charging stations, and facilities have been the target of frequent vandalism, violence, and protests.
It would require 51 votes to pass a rescission package in the Senate to codify the cuts. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) expressed that she does not see a bill passing if it leads to cuts in foreign aid.
“I think it depends what’s in it precisely,” Collins said. “For example, the $8.3 billion in foreign aid cuts, if that includes the women’s global health initiative as is rumored, if it cuts PEPFAR as it may, I don’t see those passing.”
WHAT IS DOGE? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
Since taking office, Trump has frozen at least $430 billion in funds.
Meanwhile, DOGE boasts that it has seen $175 billion in savings from spending cuts.