Indian American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) has introduced two bills to bring transparency and accountability to Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) what he calls “illegal and unconstitutional actions.”
These include actions that have led to the firing of highly qualified federal workers, the dismantling of congressionally-authorized agencies, and other actions that will lead to making Americans less safe and less prosperous, according to a press release from his office.
READ: DOGE leaders Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy target 94% of remote federal workers (December 9, 2024)
These bills force President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting initiative, DOGE to be transparent and accountable by making all of its actions public and reporting back to Congress, it states. They also measure the damage DOGE is doing to critical government services and to the American people as its secret members try to wield unchecked power to illegally take control of sensitive data.
“DOGE has usurped congressional authority and the will of the American people to make unauthorized, unconstitutional spending decisions and illegally gain access to extremely sensitive data of American taxpayers without any oversight or accountability,” Subramanyam stated.
“These bills are common sense measures to finally make DOGE accountable to the American people and stop its leaders from illegally taking away congressionally authorized programs and services that make Americans safe, healthy, and prosperous.”
The first bill, Legislative Enforcement Against Setbacks from Harmful DOGE Actions Act (LEASH DOGE Act) would require DOGE to submit a public report to Congress listing all its employees and advisors.
The legislation would require DOGE employees to remove the veil of secrecy and identify themselves as well as mandate disclosure of the status of their background checks, clearances, and any conflicts of interest. The bill would also require that DOGE testify before Congress on what types of sensitive information DOGE employees have access to in federal government systems.
Additionally, DOGE would be required to establish a public website that is updated weekly with information on their employees’ roles, data on federal employee layoffs and federal funding cuts, and points of contact who can answer questions from the American people.
If DOGE fails to comply with these requirements by March 31, 2025, the bill would prohibit the use of congressionally appropriated funds for DOGE activities, reminding DOGE that it is Congress that holds the power of the purse.
The second legislation, Accountability in Government Efficiency Act would require a report on the effects of DOGE’s actions on the long-term financial, public health, and safety interests of the United States.
READ: Will Vivek Ramaswamy withdraw from DOGE? (January 20, 2025)
The report would outline the actions of reducing the number of employees in the civil service, the termination of federal programs, and the costs associated with pausing and restarting federal programs, as well as report on the extent to which DOGE has, or has not, carried out actions in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
Both bills are cosponsored by Representatives Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MI), Eleanor Norton Holmes (D-DC), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Cleo Fields (D-LA), John Larson (D-CT), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).