In an assertive move to streamline government operations, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst has lauded the creation of the Senate DOGE Caucus.

Launched to implement the incoming Trump administration's Department of Government of Efficiency's stated objectives, the caucus aims at curtailing federal overspending and inefficiency, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Announced on Friday, the Senate DOGE Caucus is spearheaded by Ernst (R-IA) to advance President-elect Donald Trump's efficiency-driven government reforms.

These efforts target reducing federal overreach and unnecessary spending through strategic oversight and legislative actions.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed by Trump to lead these initiatives.

The two are central to the strategic oversight and reformative processes that DOGE intends to enforce across various federal agencies.

New Caucus Targets Governmental Inefficiency

With a reputation for combating governmental waste, Ernst brings her decade-long experience of advocacy against excess spending to the caucus. Her famous "make 'em squeal" campaign, initiated during her 2014 Senate race, underlines her commitment to these goals.

The caucus also marks a collaborative effort across Congress, with the House recently forming a partnership with DOGE. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) heads the newly established Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, amplifying the caucus's potential impact.

Ernst's leadership is further backed by founding members including Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), James Lankford (R-OK), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO).

DOGE's Pledge to Curtail Budget Deficits

The DOGE agenda specifically targets reducing federal waste in key agencies such as the FDA and NIH. This aligns with its broader goal to overturn the persistent trend of budget deficits—the last U.S. budget surplus was recorded in 2001.

Fiscal year 2023 saw the U.S. government spend $6.16 trillion while only generating $4.47 trillion in revenue. DOGE aims to address these discrepancies, promoting a more balanced federal budget.

According to Ernst, the newly established caucus will play a crucial role in returning 85% of federal employees to office settings, curbing benefits deemed excessive under current remote work policies.

Ernst's History of Fighting Government Waste

Ernst has notably highlighted issues of governmental inefficiency through her "Squeal Awards," an initiative recognizing unnecessary federal expenditures. Her approach emphasizes accountability and tangible outcomes in reducing government spending.

“Iowans elected me with a mandate to cut Washington’s pork and make ‘em squeal! From billion-dollar boondoggles to welfare for politicians and trillion-dollar slush funds, my decade-long investigations have exposed levels of abuse that are almost too insane to believe,” stated Sen. Ernst.

Her aggressive stance against waste is encapsulated in her often-quoted remark from her early campaign days: “I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm, so when I get to Washington, I’ll know how to cut pork.”

Strategic Actions and Legislative Focus

The Senate DOGE Caucus promises vigorous oversight and active legislative engagement to reduce the power of unelected bureaucrats. This initiative is not just about cutting costs but also about restoring efficiency and accountability to federal operations.

“The tables are finally turning, the knives are out, and waste is on the chopping block. As President Trump, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy prepare to take action, the Senate DOGE Caucus is ready to carry out critical oversight in Congress and use our legislative force to fight against the entrenched bureaucracy, trim the fat, and get Washington back to work for Americans,” Ernst elaborated.

Supporting this sentiment, Ramaswamy tweeted, “We look forward to partnering with the Senate to downsize government. Grateful to @SenJoniErnst for her excellent suggestions yesterday!” indicating a unified approach to these reforms.