Texas Senator John Cornyn took to the Senate floor today to laud the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, for its aggressive efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending.
Cornyn highlighted what he described as “patently absurd” examples of taxpayer money misuse, including loans to illegal immigrants and obscure international projects, signaling a seismic shift in how Washington handles its fiscal responsibilities.
Cornyn framed the issue as a long-standing bipartisan concern, referencing historical efforts like the Grace Commission, which targeted government inefficiency decades ago.
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“This has long been a bipartisan issue,” he said, lamenting that resistance has emerged under President Donald Trump’s administration and Musk’s leadership of DOGE. “Many people who benefit from this gravy train don’t want it to end,” he added, accusing critics of dismissing the findings despite clear evidence.
Among the most striking examples Cornyn cited was an illegal immigrant with an active arrest warrant who received over $100,000 in loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). He also pointed to DOGE’s discovery of illegal immigrants using multiple Social Security numbers to file Medicare claims—benefits for which they are not eligible.
“Those of us who have looked into it, who have taken the time to study what’s been exposed, know otherwise,” Cornyn said, urging his colleagues to confront the reality of such abuses.
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The senator didn’t stop there, turning his ire toward what he called “blood-boiling” expenditures uncovered by DOGE. He singled out the Inter-American Foundation, which faced significant cuts after DOGE revealed it had funneled over $900,000 into alpaca farming in Peru and more than $700,000 to boost the marketability of mushrooms and peas in Guatemala. “I don’t think this is an area where most people think our tax dollars should be spent,” Cornyn quipped, suggesting that such projects exemplify a disconnect between government spending and public priorities.
Cornyn’s remarks culminated in a rare moment of praise on Capitol Hill, as he thanked Elon Musk for his role in spearheading DOGE. “I’d like to do something that you don’t hear very often here in D.C. these days and thank Elon Musk for his service to our country in performing this essential and long-overdue role,” he said.
The senator portrayed Musk’s leadership as a turning point in reining in what he called a “gravy train” of unchecked spending.
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The Department of Government Efficiency has stirred controversy since its inception, with supporters hailing it as a bold step toward fiscal accountability and critics questioning its methods and authority. Cornyn’s speech underscored the GOP’s growing alignment with DOGE’s mission, particularly as Republicans leverage their control of Congress to push for sweeping reforms.
As the debate over government spending intensifies, Cornyn’s remarks signal that DOGE’s findings—however polarizing—will remain a flashpoint in Washington. For now, the Texas senator stands firm, casting the effort as a necessary reckoning for a system he believes has long been overdue for change.
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