Overview

• Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Aaron Bean introduced the DOGE in Spending Act on June 5 with backing from 13 Senate co-sponsors spanning both parties.
• The legislation targets roughly $162 billion in annual improper federal payments by enforcing database verification before funds are disbursed.
• It would require agencies to grant Treasury’s Do Not Pay system access to federal hiring, credit and tax records to flag eligibility and income inconsistencies.
• The act formally codifies Treasury reforms from President Trump’s executive order and early DOGE measures championed by Elon Musk.
• Lawmakers expect the transparency requirements to break siloed agency databases and face minimal opposition as a bipartisan effort to curb fraud.