The "Delete DOGE Act" defunds the Digital Open Government Enterprise (DOGE) and related entities by restricting federal funding and prohibiting the implementation or enforcement of certain executive orders.
Sara Jacobs
Representative
CA-51
The "Delete DOGE Act" aims to defund the Digital Open Government Enterprise (DOGE) and related entities by restricting the use of federal funds for implementing certain executive orders or supporting new projects initiated by DOGE after January 20, 2025. It prevents federal funds from being used by or given to DOGE-related entities or individuals and limits the use of funds for the United States Digital Service (USDS) to improving existing digital services as they existed on January 19, 2025. The bill defines key terms such as "covered entity," "covered executive order," and "covered individual" to clarify the scope of these restrictions.
Delete DOGE Act Proposes Halting Funds for Federal Digital Teams and Projects After January 2025
This proposed legislation, the "Delete DOGE Act," sets out to effectively shut down the Digital Open Government Enterprise (DOGE) and related federal digital initiatives by cutting off their funding. Specifically, Section 2 prohibits using federal money to implement, administer, or enforce certain Executive Orders (14158, 14210, 14222, and any successors) tied to these digital efforts. It also blocks funding for any individual or entity associated with DOGE, its temporary organizations, or successor teams after January 20, 2025.
Hitting the Brakes on Digital Government?
The core of this bill lies in its financial restrictions. It explicitly forbids federal funds from going to or being used by any "covered entity" – defined broadly to include the DOGE service, related teams, and successors. Furthermore, individuals linked to these entities after January 20, 2025, are barred from using federal funds or equipment in their official capacity related to these initiatives. This effectively aims to dismantle the operational capacity of DOGE and associated programs by turning off the financial tap.
What About Existing Online Services?
The bill also throws a wrench into the works for the United States Digital Service (USDS), a key player in modernizing the government's online presence. While not shutting USDS down entirely, Section 2 restricts its funding solely to "improving existing digital services in the same manner" as they were on January 19, 2025. Crucially, it blocks USDS funds for any project initiated by a DOGE-related entity after the January 20, 2025 cutoff. This could mean that efforts to launch new online tools or significantly upgrade existing ones – think smoother online applications for benefits, easier ways to track government processes, or more user-friendly agency websites – might stall if they fall outside the narrow definition of maintaining the status quo from early 2025. The practical impact hinges on how strictly "improving existing digital services in the same manner" is interpreted, potentially freezing innovation or preventing necessary updates citizens rely on.