A Florida Democrat takes a bold step across party lines in a rare display of bipartisan cooperation on government restructuring efforts.
According to Fox News, Representative Jared Moskowitz has joined the Republican-led DOGE Caucus, becoming its first Democratic member while advocating for the removal of the U.S. Secret Service from the Department of Homeland Security.
The move represents a significant shift in the political landscape as Moskowitz aligns with Republican colleagues to streamline government operations. His decision comes in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's announcement of a DOGE advisory panel to be led by prominent figures Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Moskowitz's background as Florida's director of Emergency Management under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis adds substantial weight to his proposition. His experience with both FEMA and emergency response operations provides him with unique insights into the operational challenges within DHS.
Moskowitz stated his position on government reorganization, emphasizing the need for practical reforms. As shared by the congressman:
Today I will join the Congressional DOGE Caucus, because I believe that streamlining government processes and reducing ineffective government spending should not be a partisan issue.
The Democratic congressman's proposal extends beyond the Secret Service, suggesting that FEMA should also become an independent federal agency. This recommendation stems from his assessment that having 22 agencies under DHS has become unwieldy and inefficient.
The DOGE Caucus, whose name stands for Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency, was established by Republican Representatives Pete Sessions of Texas and Aaron Bean of Florida. This initiative follows Trump's strategic move to appoint Musk and Ramaswamy to lead his advisory panel.
House Republicans have demonstrated their commitment to government efficiency through multiple channels. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has announced plans for a special subcommittee on government efficiency in the next Congress, to be led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Moskowitz's prior collaboration with Republican Representative Garret Graves on FEMA reorganization demonstrates his consistent approach to government reform. His current position on the bipartisan House task force investigating assassination attempts against Trump further strengthens his credentials for cross-party cooperation.
Moskowitz elaborated on his vision for reorganizing federal agencies with a clear statement:
I've been clear that there are ways we can reorganize our government to make it work better for the American people. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security, while very necessary, has gotten too big.
The proposed changes would create direct reporting lines to the White House for both the Secret Service and FEMA. This restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce bureaucratic layers in critical security and emergency response functions.
Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida, has joined the Republican-led DOGE Caucus, marking a significant moment in bipartisan cooperation for government reform. His proposal to remove both the Secret Service and FEMA from DHS oversight reflects his experience as Florida's former Emergency Management director and his commitment to streamlining federal operations.
The initiative aligns with President-elect Trump's broader strategy of government efficiency, supported by the appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the DOGE advisory panel. These developments signal a potential shift in how federal agencies operate, with an emphasis on reducing bureaucracy and improving operational effectiveness through structural reorganization.
