LEASH DOGE Act: New Bill Demands Transparency from Government Efficiency Department, Limits Funding if Deadlines Missed

The "Legislative Enforcement Against Setbacks from Harmful DOGE Actions Act"—or LEASH DOGE Act—is all about putting a tight leash on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This bill, if passed, would force DOGE to be way more transparent about who they've got on staff and what they're actually doing. It's a direct response to concerns about how this department operates and whether it's truly making government more efficient.

Inside the Transparency Mandate

The core of the LEASH DOGE Act is transparency. The bill demands that DOGE report a ton of details to specific congressional committees. Think full lists of all DOGE employees (including those "special government employees"), their roles, and even whether they've passed background checks and have security clearances. It also wants to know about any conflicts of interest these employees might have, and what's being done about them. (SEC. 2.)

It's not just about current employees, either. The bill also requires information on Executive Office of the President employees, including Senior Advisors, who advise on DOGE operations. This means we could get a clearer picture of who's influencing decisions at the highest levels. For example, if a Senior Advisor previously worked for a tech company that now contracts with DOGE, that relationship would need to be disclosed.

Public Accountability: The DOGE Website

Beyond reporting to Congress, the LEASH DOGE Act mandates a public website. This site would list DOGE employees, their titles, and their roles. It would also track the impact of DOGE's activities, listing government offices where employees were laid off or put on leave, and detailing programs that have had their funding reduced, paused, or eliminated. (SEC. 2.)

Imagine a small business owner who relies on a particular government grant. If that grant program's funding is cut, this website should, in theory, provide clear information about the change and who to contact for more details. The bill requires this site to be updated at least weekly, which is crucial for keeping the information relevant.

Agency Teams Under Scrutiny

The LEASH DOGE Act also clarifies that employees from other agencies who are part of a "DOGE Agency Team" (as defined in Executive Order 14158) are considered DOGE employees for the purposes of this bill. This means they're subject to the same reporting requirements. (SEC. 3.)

Deadlines and Dollar Signs

Here's where the bill gets teeth. The LEASH DOGE Act sets a hard deadline of March 31, 2025, for DOGE to comply with all these reporting requirements. If they miss the deadline, there are consequences. Specifically, funds for DOGE (including funds previously allocated to the United States Digital Service) can only be used for activities that started before January 20, 2025. Plus, no federal funds can be used for any DOGE Agency Team until the reporting requirements are met. (SEC. 4.) This could significantly hamper DOGE's ability to launch new initiatives or continue existing projects if they're not on top of things.

The Big Picture: Accountability vs. Bureaucracy

While the LEASH DOGE Act aims for greater transparency, it raises some key questions. Will all this reporting actually improve government efficiency, or will it create another layer of red tape? And could the funding restrictions, while intended to enforce compliance, end up crippling DOGE's ability to do its job? These are the practical challenges that need to be considered as this bill moves forward.