Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed working with Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to reduce excessive government spending. Warren outlined a series of proposals in a January 23 letter, all aimed at enhancing the efficiency of federal expenditures.
One of her main recommendations was to fully fund the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which would enable it to better detect tax evasion and guarantee that the wealthiest pay their due amount. Warren also proposed reducing tax loopholes, particularly the carried interest loophole, and enacting a capital gains tax for estates. According to Warren, these policies will considerably increase government income while reducing unneeded tax incentives for the wealthiest individuals, including Musk, whose net worth is estimated at $426 billion.
Warren also questioned the potential conflicts of interest at DOGE, which Musk leads, and expressed reservations about the company’s ability to operate without corruption. Despite these complaints, she stressed the potential for collaboration, notably in decreasing waste and fraud in federal programs.
Warren also argued for cutting military spending, which makes up a significant chunk of the federal budget, as well as cracking down on Medicare fraud. She believes these areas might yield immediate savings, leveraging Musk’s tech skills in identifying inefficiencies.
Though Warren and Musk frequently disagree on political matters, she expressed a readiness to work together on practical ideas to cut the government budget without affecting the middle class. This collaboration may pave the way for significant changes in how government expenditure is controlled and allocated.
While the specifics of DOGE’s future plans are unknown, Warren’s letter is part of a larger bipartisan push to address government inefficiencies and wasted spending.