House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed his intention to reduce spending for Planned Parenthood and PBS as part of the Republican efforts to streamline government spending through the newly-established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, emphasized the party's commitment to saving taxpayer money during an interview on Fox News. He stated that Republicans are dedicated to cutting down the size of government and improving its efficiency by reducing unnecessary regulations.
According to Johnson, the creation of DOGE presents a unique opportunity for transformative change within the government and aims to curb wasteful spending.
President-elect Donald Trump appointed Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk to lead DOGE, with the goal of dismantling bureaucracy, slashing regulations, and restructuring federal agencies to align with the 'Save America' Movement.
During a recent rally, Musk suggested that the U.S. budget could be reduced by at least $2 trillion, highlighting the potential for significant cost savings.
Johnson revealed plans to convene Senate and House Republicans for a brainstorming session to identify areas of waste, fraud, and abuse within the government. He emphasized the importance of scaling back the regulatory state and making substantial changes to improve efficiency.
In addition to cutting wasteful spending, Johnson outlined key priorities for the U.S. House in January, including extending the Trump tax cuts and addressing issues related to border security and energy policy.