Joni Ernst: “thank you to my colleague from Oklahoma, Senator James Lankford, for arranging today's event. Mr. President, a winter…”

“thank you to my colleague from Oklahoma, Senator James Lankford, for arranging today's event. Mr. President, a winter storm shut down the Nation's Capital this week, but did anyone notice? Essential government employees showed up to do their jobs while the others enjoyed days off. My telework report revealed that just 6 percent of workers report in- person full time, and these bureaucrats are doing anything but working. This is sadly just more business as usual. However, it is a fitting prelude to a much bigger storm that is headed this way that will sweep over this city and forever alter the way it operates. I am, of course, talking about the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Headed up by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE is putting Washington on notice. Henceforward, every cent being spent will now be scrutinized. All regulations must be justified and continually rejustified using data and outcomes, not just ideology. And the government works for the people, not the other way around. To support these efforts, I am honored to be chairing the Senate DOGE Caucus and working to downsize the government, which is why my colleagues and I stand here today. For that, I again want to thank Senator Lankford, a founding member of the caucus, author of his ``Federal Fumbles,'' and a true hero to taxpayers, for organizing today's discussion. It is a rare occasion for this many Senators to assemble on the Senate floor to call for spending cuts.…”