Delete DOGE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2601
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-16T08:05:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Delete DOGE Act" (H.R. 2601) aims to eliminate federal funding for the United States DOGE Service—commonly known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and related entities or initiatives established by executive orders. It seeks to prevent the use of taxpayer money for these programs, effectively dismantling them by cutting off financial support.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Covered entity: Includes the DOGE Service, its temporary organization, any "DOGE Team" created under executive orders, entities set up to implement these orders, or any successor groups.
- Covered executive order: Refers to specific executive orders (e.g., Executive Order 14158 establishing DOGE, and others related to workforce and cost efficiency initiatives) or any follow-up orders creating or supporting DOGE.
- Covered individual: Any person involved with a covered entity on or after January 20, 2025, such as officers, employees, contractors, volunteers, or leaders, regardless of pay or title.
- Funding Limitations:
- No federal funds can be used to implement, administer, or enforce any covered executive order.
- Funds for the United States Digital Service (USDS) can only support pre-existing digital improvement projects across the federal government (as of January 19, 2025); no funds for new projects started by DOGE or related entities after January 20, 2025.
- No federal funds can be provided to any covered entity, except as limited above for USDS.
- Covered individuals cannot use federal funds (including government equipment) for their activities, and no funds can support orders, directives, or recommendations issued by them under the guise of official government roles.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces strict prohibitions on funding that directly counteract executive orders creating DOGE, which were issued to establish a new department focused on government efficiency, workforce optimization, and cost reductions.
- It rescinds (cancels) any allocated federal funds for these entities, overriding executive branch initiatives by leveraging Congress's constitutional power over appropriations (spending authority).
- Unlike prior laws that might have allowed executive flexibility in creating advisory or efficiency bodies, this act mandates a complete funding blackout, preventing even indirect support through existing agencies like USDS.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal departments and agencies would be barred from collaborating with or funding DOGE-related efforts, potentially halting efficiency reforms, staff reductions, or cost-saving measures. This could preserve current government operations but limit administrative streamlining.
- On Citizens: Taxpayers might see no direct savings from defunding DOGE but could face continued inefficiencies in government services if proposed reforms are blocked. It protects federal jobs and programs from DOGE-driven changes.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though DOGE initiatives might have indirectly affected U.S. government operations with global reach (e.g., digital services); defunding could maintain the status quo without altering foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Executive Branch Officials and DOGE Personnel: Leaders, employees, and contractors associated with DOGE would lose funding and authority, potentially leading to dissolution of roles.
- Federal Agencies and Employees: Agencies like USDS are restricted to old projects, protecting broader federal workforce from efficiency cuts but limiting innovation.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Democratic lawmakers (bill sponsors) gain leverage over executive actions; citizens benefit from congressional oversight of spending but may oppose blocked reforms.
- Efficiency Advocates: Groups or individuals supporting government downsizing (e.g., via DOGE) would see initiatives stalled.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's "power of the purse" under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, allowing it to check executive actions through funding control. Could face challenges if seen as unduly interfering with presidential authority to organize the executive branch, potentially leading to court disputes over separation of powers.
- Political: Introduced by Democratic representatives, it targets a Republican-led executive initiative (DOGE, associated with figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in a hypothetical 2025 context), highlighting partisan divides on government reform. If passed, it could set a precedent for Congress defunding controversial executive orders, escalating legislative-executive tensions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-02: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Delete DOGE Act — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (4 pages)