Yesterday, Congresswoman Val Hoyle joined the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency caucus, or DOGE Caucus, and we’ll tell you that story, but first, we have to tell you this story… According to Hoyle the ‘DOGE’ acronym is used in three ways.
The first is an unofficial advisory panel to the executive branch led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
The second is a new House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.
The third is the DOGE Caucus, and that’s what Hoyle is joining. A caucus is a group of legislators with a shared interest in any given issue. Caucuses can hold educational events and activities, such as briefings, and can advocate for legislation.
What motivated the move
Hoyles says joining the caucus will ensure that working people, seniors and veterans have a champion in the room when Republicans propose cuts to the federal government.
“We should all be for an efficient government that is focused on delivering for everyday Americans. But I came to Congress to be in the rooms where the tough conversations are happening – not to avoid them. That means engaging with my colleagues even when we strongly disagree. Avoiding these conversations doesn’t protect our values – it undermines them and cedes territory to those who would rather leave working families behind. I’m not willing to do that.”
“The DOGE Caucus is a forum to discuss ways to find savings in the budget. Anyone who thinks there aren’t opportunities to make government more efficient and effective is not living in the real world. This isn’t a partisan issue. Whether it’s allowing Medicare to negotiate drug pricing or cracking down on defense contractors who overcharge the Defense Department, we should come to the table with our list while also strongly standing firm on protecting the programs that the American people rely on, like Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Service, the Postal Service, the FAA and so many more.”
Hoyle attacked, responds
Hoyle also responded to false attacks on social media regarding her record on Social Security and her decision to join the Caucus. She released the following statement:
“Let me be perfectly clear: I oppose cuts to the Social Security Trust Fund – always have and always will. Anyone who says otherwise is dead wrong,” Rep Hoyle said. “The first bill I introduced in Congress with Representative Schakowsky and Senators Sanders and Warren was the Social Security Expansion Act, to expand and extend the benefits and solvency of the program. My district also has more Social Security recipients than 87% of other congressional districts. I know how important these programs are.”
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