Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) has introduced legislation aimed at reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in state governments by tying federal financial assistance to the creation of independent oversight commissions.
The State-Level Departments of Government Efficiency Establishment Act—nicknamed the State-Level DOGE Establishment Act—would require states to establish their own Departments of Government Efficiency (DOGE) before receiving most forms of federal aid. Security-related funding would be exempt from this requirement.
Tenney argues that states, particularly New York, receive billions in federal funding but misuse taxpayer dollars on what she calls unnecessary programs. She cited Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as an example of spending that is “out of touch with the vast majority of Americans.”
“DOGE is working diligently at the federal level to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. It’s time for state governments to follow suit,” Tenney said. “If they refuse, they should not receive a dime of taxpayer money from the federal government.”
The bill’s prospects in Congress remain uncertain, as it is likely to face opposition from states that view the measure as federal overreach. Critics may also question the feasibility of implementing DOGE commissions across all states.
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