DOGE sniffs out wasteful spending — now it’s time for Congress to act
Reckless government spending drains taxpayers and shatters the public trust. Right now, your share of the national debt stands at $108,000 — and it’s projected to rise to more than $111,000 by next year.
Is it any wonder that most Americans agree Washington needs to cut wasteful spending?
The Department of Government Efficiency is shaking things up and making headlines, opening a much-needed debate on government spending, waste, and the size and scope of government.
But while DOGE is doing great work bringing attention to the issue, there’s only one branch of the government with the power to truly balance the budgets, cut the national debt, and get America back on the path of fiscal responsibility: Congress.
CONGRESS: THE POWER OF THE PURSE
Article I of the Constitution is crystal clear: Congress has the power of the purse. DOGE can uncover a lot of waste, but we won’t see real change unless Congress steps up and takes action.
Unfortunately, Congress has been unwilling or unable to rein in out-of-control government spending for years. In 2024 alone, Congress approved more than $6 trillion in spending, an enormous increase.
The result? Washington now spends more on annual interest payments on our colossal $36 trillion national debt than on national defense.
But there’s good news: Congress has a golden opportunity to turn things around and make real, lasting cuts. Here’s how it can start:
END DUPLICATE PROGRAMS
The federal government has gotten so large that Washington has lost track of how it’s spending your money.
For example, there are 80 different federal health programs, each one with its own eligibility and verification process. Congress can save $554 billion every year by creating a single process to verify who’s eligible for these programs.
Also, do you think the Department of Education needs its own disaster recovery unit? Isn’t that FEMA’s job?
If one agency is already handling an issue, we don’t need three more doing the same thing — it’s just common sense.
FIX HEALTH CARE WASTE
America’s health care system is broken. It’s expensive, inefficient, and riddled with policies that drive up costs instead of making care more affordable.
If we want a system that actually works for Americans — and isn’t a ticking time bomb for the federal budget — Congress must step in.
Two places where it can start? Reimbursement rates and insurance rules.
Congress can save us $530 billion in eight years by making reimbursement rates fairer, and it can save almost $1 trillion in the next 10 years by just letting Americans abroad use their insurance where they live instead of flying home to get the health care — at a much higher price tag.
REFORM EDUCATION SUBSIDIES
Washington pours billions into universities with zero accountability. That money bloats administrative budgets, inflates tuition, and sticks taxpayers with the bill — without actually improving education.
Congress needs to step in and stop this waste.
First, it can stop the $21 billion a year student loan bailouts for government and nonprofit employees.
Congress can save $33 billion every year by capping student loans and preventing colleges from endlessly hiking tuition costs to pay for their bloated budgets.
If universities want to keep funding their bloated and wasteful programs, they can do it without taxpayer money.
END CORPORATE CRONYISM
Why is Washington funneling billions of taxpayer dollars into the pockets of green energy corporate cronies?
This has to stop.
Congress can save almost $11 billion by ending subsidies for home upgrades and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Your hard-earned tax dollars must be used wisely — not as a charity for politically connected corporations.
THE WAY FORWARD
Government waste isn’t inevitable — it’s a choice.
And Congress has the power to choose a different path. If lawmakers act, we can make real progress in balancing the budget and shrinking the national debt.
As the largest grassroots network in the country, Americans for Prosperity is ready to lead the charge to cut government spending, balance the budgets, and restore fiscal sanity in America.
If you want to be part of the movement that’s bringing positive, meaningful change from sea to shining sea, click here to learn how you can get involved with AFP.
