department of government deficiency

As you may know, Donald Trump tapped Elon Musk, the world's richest man, and Vivek Ramaswamy, another billionaire, to spin up a so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (a.k.a. DOGE).

According to a 1972 law called the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the membership of an entity like DOGE must be "fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed."

Two billionaires is not "fairly balanced."

That's why we sent a letter to Trump's transition team yesterday formally requesting that the two of us — Public Citizen Co-Presidents Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman — be appointed to the Department of Government Efficiency.

Here's some of what we said in our letter:

• "Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy both hold financial interests that will be directly affected by federal budgetary policies — presenting substantial conflict of interest concerns."

• "In bringing the consumer and public perspective to DOGE, we can offer views that are untainted by the appearance of corruption or self-dealing."

• "All signs suggest the non-representative DOGE co-chairs aim to use 'efficiency' as a cover to drive a pro-corporate, anti-regulatory agenda and an ideologically driven social service cuts program. This would constitute an anti-efficiency agenda."

• "We are prepared to offer a range of evidence-based efficiency proposals — to slash drug prices, end privatized Medicare, reduce the wasteful Pentagon budget — that would save American taxpayers and consumers hundreds of billions of dollars every year."

• "We also have recommendations for smart, efficient public investments — in human development and to address climate change — that will have a positive monetary return for the government and society."

Help get Public Citizen Co-Presidents Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman appointed to DOGE.

To Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy:

As currently constituted, your so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" is actually deficient in at least two major ways. First, you have appointed exactly nobody who represents everyday consumers and the public interest (as opposed to the wishes of billionaires and Big Business). Second, and as a result of the first deficiency, DOGE is in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. You can address both of these deficiencies by appointing Public Citizen Co-Presidents Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman to the committee right away.

Click to add your name now.

Thanks for taking action.

For progress,

- Lisa Gilbert & Robert Weissman, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen
 
 
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