Memphis Standard

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has introduced a series of bills, collectively known as the "DOGE Acts," aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing wasteful spending within the federal government. The introduction of these bills aligns with President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative to modernize federal technology and enhance productivity.

Senator Blackburn stated, "Under President Trump’s leadership, Republicans have the opportunity to slash wasteful spending and rein in outsized bureaucracy." She further explained that the DOGE Acts would require federal employees to return to office work, relocate federal agencies into America's heartland, reduce excessive federal spending, lower taxes on Social Security for seniors, and freeze hiring and salaries until government size is optimized.

The DOGE Acts comprise several legislative proposals:

- The Federal Freeze Act proposes a one-year freeze on hiring and salary increases for certain agency heads. It also aims to reduce workforce size by 2% two years after enactment and by 5% three years post-enactment. Employees necessary for national security, law enforcement, public safety, and public health would be exempt from this freeze.

- The Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act seeks to establish a commission reporting to Congress on relocating non-national security-related agencies out of Washington D.C., considering factors like financial efficiency and existing infrastructure. This bill is co-sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, and Pete Ricketts.

- The Federal Employee Performance and Accountability Act introduces a performance-based pay structure through a five-year pilot program among certain federal employees. Agencies critical for national security or public safety are exempted from this act. Co-sponsors include Senators Thom Tillis and Pete Ricketts.

- The Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems (SHOW UP) Act mandates reinstating pre-COVID telework policies within 30 days while requiring reports on telework policy impacts during COVID expansion. It prevents permanent telework expansions without congressional approval detailing benefits to agency missions. Co-sponsors are Senators Mike Crapo, Joni Ernst, Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, Pete Ricketts, and Chuck Grassley.

- The RETIREES FIRST Act focuses on lowering tax burdens on Social Security benefits for seniors by reallocating funds from inefficient non-security discretionary programs while protecting Social Security and Medicare trust funds. Senator Roger Marshall co-sponsors this legislation.

Additionally, across-the-board spending cuts propose rescissions of non-security discretionary appropriations: 1% in Fiscal Year 2026; 2% in Fiscal Year 2027; and 5% annually starting Fiscal Year 2028 onward. Exemptions apply to departments such as Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and National Nuclear Security Administration.