U.S. Rep. James Comer representing Kentucky's 1st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. James Comer representing Kentucky's 1st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has initiated the first hearing of the subcommittee with a focus on tackling wasteful government spending. The hearing, titled "The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud," marks the beginning of efforts to address what Greene describes as a significant national issue.
Chairwoman Greene opened her remarks by highlighting the growing national debt, which she stated has reached $36 trillion. She emphasized that this is not a partisan issue but an American problem that affects everyone. "This is not a Democrat problem. This is not a Republican problem. This is an American problem," she said.
Greene pointed out that interest payments on the national debt are projected to reach $952 billion in 2025, surpassing the entire military budget. By 2035, these payments could rise to $1.8 trillion, totaling $13.8 trillion over the next decade. She expressed concern that these payments do not benefit Americans directly but instead serve those who own U.S. debt.
"Our crippling national debt and massively growing interest on our debt will destroy us," Greene warned, stressing its impact on inflation and small businesses.
She attributed much of the blame for this situation to Congress and past presidential administrations, calling it "one of the biggest betrayals against the American people by its own elected government."
Greene also noted that DOGE was born from public frustration over government inefficiency and became a key component of President Trump's campaign platform.
The hearing aims to investigate improper federal payments, particularly in programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Greene stated her commitment to working alongside President Trump, Elon Musk, and others in addressing these issues.
In concluding her opening statement, Greene called for bipartisan cooperation within Congress to address these challenges without resorting to political theatrics or partisan attacks.
"I now yield to the Ranking Member, Ms. Stansbury, for her opening statement," she concluded.
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