In a recent legislative push, Senator James Lankford, R-Okla., has unveiled a new legislative package aimed at bolstering the efficiency of the federal government.
The package consists of eight bills designed to improve operations within the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative supported by President-elect Donald Trump, Fox News reported.
These legislative efforts come just as President-elect Trump, who has pledged to streamline government operations, appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to guide DOGE’s advisory board. This appointment highlights the administration's commitment to leveraging high-profile leaders to enact substantial reforms in government operations.
Senator Lankford introduced new bills targeting various aspects of government operations. Among them, the “Improving Federal Financial Management Act” seeks to overhaul how federal agencies evaluate themselves, with a strong focus on financial performance metrics.
In addition, other significant pieces of legislation include the “TRUE Accountability Act” and the “ACCESS Act.” The former, in particular, mandates the creation of contingency operational plans across agencies to improve crisis response.
Meanwhile, the latter proposes changes to hiring standards for government contractors, simplifying the qualifications needed to participate in federal projects.
The “STEP Act,” another critical part of Lankford's initiative, aims to curb improper payments and enhance fraud prevention mechanisms within government financial systems. In addition, federal telework policies, often criticized for their inefficiency, are also addressed.
The Senator's efforts to regulate telework aim to ensure that remote work arrangements do not compromise the functionality and responsiveness of federal agencies.
Furthermore, the Senate DOGE caucus, led by Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, supports these initiatives and the broader mandate to refine federal agency operations. They advocate for stringent oversight and efficient management of government resources to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms.
Regarding his legislative push, Senator Lankford has expressed a commitment to align federal operations more closely with taxpayer expectations. He further underlines the urgency of his bills, particularly within the context of the national demand for governmental prudence and financial efficiency.
In remarks made during an announcement on Fox News Digital, Senator Lankford stated the intent of his proposed legislation:
"The American people gave Washington a mandate in November—waste less, save more. Consequently, today I’m introducing a first set of bills to follow through on their mandate by prioritizing streamlined regulations, rule-making, and record-keeping. It’s time to put government waste in the doghouse and let DOGE get to work," Lankford said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The proposed bills are expected to help President-elect Trump focus on accountability and efficiency within the federal machine. Furthermore, with leaders like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy leading DOGE, these reforms are anticipated to gain significant momentum.
This strategic legislative effort arrives at a crucial time, as the administration seeks to fulfill campaign promises on government reform. Additionally, the alignment with high-caliber advisors ensures that the President-elect's vision for an efficient government aligns with actionable policies introduced by lawmakers like Senator Lankford.
Ultimately, these legislative measures underscore a significant pivot towards enhancing federal agency operations in ways that are measurable, transparent, and aligned with the expectations of the American public. In particular, the collection of bills introduced by Senator Lankford proposes a structured approach to refining the mechanism of government, ensuring it operates effectively even in times of crisis, enhances accountability, reduces wasteful expenditure, and prioritizes efficiency in every aspect of its conduct.
