Democrats have appointed their members to serve on the House Oversight Subcommittee on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and warned that they would “fight” cuts to critical federal programs.
New agency, key promise President Donald Trump re-election campaign, is tasked with reducing government waste and ensuring greater transparency when it comes to government spending. It was established by executive order on Monday.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, DN.M. announced on Tuesday that X will serve as a ranking member.
Trump signs executive order, Rep. Marjorie Taylor and Greene Rep. Melanie Stansbury. (Jim Watson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, left, Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, top right, Jemal Countess/Getty Images for the Congressional Integrity Project, bottom right.)
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Stansbury will be joined by Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Massachusetts, Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, as well as Eleanor Holmes Norton, a nonvoting congressional delegate for Washington, DCwrites Politico. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., the ranking member of the full Oversight and Government Reform Committee, will be allowed to sit on the subcommittee in an ex officio capacity, media reports said.
Stansbury vowed to “use every tool available to work across the aisle and fight policies that are harmful to Americans.”
She said in a video on X that Democrats are “100% in favor” of DOGE if it works to improve government efficiency and make federal agencies work better. But if it’s going to be “political theater to do the bidding of President Trump and his billionaire allies,” then they’re ready to “fight back.”
“I know what good government looks like, and I’m not afraid to fight for it,” Stansbury said in a separate statement to Politico. “At the same time, I am prepared to fight to protect the vital programs, services and employees that keep our communities safe and our economy functioning.”
DOGE has the task of managing state spending. (Getty Images)
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Garcia also said he would use his position on supervisory subcommittee to “resist” the House GOP’s plans to “attack the federal workforce.” He said Republicans plan to cut critical federal programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and give tax cuts to billionaires and the wealthiest corporations.
He took aim at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who is the subcommittee’s chairwoman.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene and her extremist allies are helping push a radical agenda in this subcommittee that includes dismantling the Department of Education and programs for the elderly and veterans,” Garcia said in a statement.
“We’re ready to fight back on day one, call out attempts to cut our social safety net and make sure we take care of working families and the middle class.”
Earlier Tuesday, Greene announced the Republican members selected to serve on the subcommittee; Tail. Pat Fallon, R-Texas; Tail. William Timmons, SC; Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas; Tail. Brian Jack, R-Ga.; Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.; Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo.; and Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas.
She said they bring a wealth of experience and are dedicated to delivering a more efficient, effective and accountable federal government.
“Together, we will work to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement within federal agencies, ensuring that government operates efficiently and transparently for the American people,” Greene said in a statement.
Trump announced Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) in November, but Ramaswamy has since retired from the agency. (Getty Images)
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The announcements come amid news that the former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy leaves the newly established department.
Ramaswamy, who was tapped by Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, to run DOGE in November, is expected to launch a Republican campaign for Ohio governor early next week, according to a Fox News source.
Running for elective office requires staying outside the DOGE, based on its structure. GOP Gov. Mike DeWine Ohio is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
