Elon Musk recently sat down with Republican senators in a private meeting to discuss his ambitious efforts to reduce government waste and shrink the federal workforce. At this luncheon, lawmakers made it clear that any significant changes, such as those proposed by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will require approval from Congress. Republican senators emphasized that for Musk’s proposed spending cuts and workforce reductions to hold up legally, Congress would need to take action by passing a rescission package.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a strong supporter of Musk’s mission, stated that while DOGE’s goals are commendable, any cuts and workforce reductions would need to be formally approved by Congress in the form of a rescission package. “To make it real, it needs to come back to Congress,” Paul remarked, pointing to the importance of a legislative vote. He made it clear that without Congress’s involvement, Musk’s plan risks being ruled invalid by the courts, as seen with recent Supreme Court decisions.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, echoed this sentiment, stating there is overwhelming support within the GOP for taking action on DOGE’s proposals. However, he stressed that any changes to discretionary spending—such as the proposed workforce cuts—would need to be pursued through a formal rescission package, not through budget reconciliation, which deals primarily with mandatory spending.
There were also concerns about Musk’s communication with lawmakers. Several senators voiced frustration that they were blindsided by the proposed cuts and changes, with some arguing that more transparency was needed. For example, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) criticized Musk’s approach as too abrupt, suggesting that a more methodical approach to reforming government would be more effective. Some senators also expressed concerns that Musk’s team had not responded quickly enough to their inquiries about these sweeping changes.
Despite these frustrations, the meeting was more cordial than previous encounters. Senators, who had been vocal about their concerns in the past, took a more diplomatic tone when addressing Musk directly. Musk acknowledged the communication breakdown and promised to improve the response process.
While many GOP lawmakers remain wary of Musk’s aggressive tactics, they are reluctant to confront him too harshly. With Musk’s substantial influence—having spent millions to support Republican candidates, including backing President Trump’s agenda—lawmakers are careful not to alienate him. Musk has indicated that he will continue playing a significant role in Republican primaries, which further complicates the dynamic between him and Congress.
In summary, while Republican senators generally support the idea of reducing government waste and inefficiency, they made it clear to Musk that these changes will need to go through the proper legislative channels. They also expressed a desire for more transparency and collaboration with his team, recognizing the importance of working together to achieve lasting reform.