Senate Republicans Unveil Budget Proposals Targeting Spending and Waste

A group of lawmakers focused on fiscal responsibility is preparing budget proposals to add to the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This initiative, spearheaded by Senate DOGE Caucus Chairwoman Joni Ernst, involves several proposals from Republicans in both the House and Senate, aiming to address significant government spending.

The Senate package is intended to complement a $9.4 billion rescissions package. Proponents believe their proposals will generate even greater savings.

Ernst stated that the goal is to reduce wasteful spending and save billions of dollars. She highlighted solutions such as defunding certain programs, stopping questionable payments, and ending unemployment benefits for high-income earners.

The Senate's additions to the bill will include Ernst's ELECT Act, which aims to recover hundreds of millions of dollars. This includes funds that have been used for purposes that are considered inappropriate.

The package also includes measures to limit perks for former presidents, such as taxpayer-funded office space and non-security staff. This portion of the package has the support of numerous Senate Republicans.

Additionally, the Senate will incorporate the Senate version of the DOGE in Spending Act, which requires detailed records for all government expenditures. This follows the discovery of billions of dollars in taxpayer funds being distributed without proper identification or through fraudulent means.

Other components of the Senate's package include ending unemployment benefits for individuals earning over $1 million annually and ending taxpayer-funded union time for government workers. The package also proposes the sale of several unused federal buildings in Washington, D.C., and aims to correct inaccuracies in SNAP payments.

Democrats have expressed criticism of these efforts.