Khanna says Democrats will work with DOGE on cutting defense budget

But Indian American Congressman warns against cuts in Social Security or Medicare or Title I education funding

By Arun Kumar

Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) has suggested that Democrats could work with Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, on cutting the defense budget.

During an interview with CNN Monday, Khanna was asked if Musk and Ramaswamy, named by the President-elect to spearhead the panel, should have that much sway over “what stays and what goes in the federal government.”

READ: Vivek Ramaswamy to launch ‘DOGEcast’ podcast with Elon Musk (November 21st, 2024) 

“Well, ultimately, they’re gonna provide recommendations,” Khanna replied. He then said the two could provide input and there could be bipartisan collaboration on defense.

“Let me provide an area where there could be bipartisan collaboration. I mean, the defense budget, which is nearly $1 trillion, is dominated by five primes. There has been tremendous reporting about the waste, fraud, and abuse in that budget,” he said.

“The Pentagon hasn‘t passed an audit and has failed the last six or seven audits. So, if they go to say there needs to be more open competition, not the monopolization in defense contractors, and propose recommendations, that’s something that I think could be supported.”

“When it comes to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse and opening the 5 primes to more competition, there are Democrats on [House Armed Services Committee] who will work with @elonmusk and @DOGE,” Khanna wrote posting a clip of his CNN appearance on X.

“Cool!” Musk replied to Khanna’s post on X

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) will head the House DOGE subcommittee under the Oversight Committee. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) will lead the DOGE Senate Caucus.

Since they will be run by Republican members, Khanna issued a few warnings to avoid pushback from the Democratic Party.

“If they find areas of truly wasteful spending across the government, they would get support. But if they start to recommend cuts in Social Security or Medicare or Title I education funding, they’ll face strong resistance. So it really just depends on what they recommend,” Khanna said.

Ramaswamy called to abolish the department as recently as last summer while running his own campaign for president. Khanna reacted to the news that he referred to as “horrifying” that the Education Department could be in Ramaswamy’s crosshairs. According to Khanna, the investment into education between 1910 and 1940 made America the superpower it is.

DOGE aims to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures” and restructure federal agencies, according to Trump. It would “provide advice and guidance from outside of government” and work alongside the White House Office of Management and Budget, the president-elect said.

“It will become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time,” Trump added. “Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of ‘DOGE’ for a very long time.”