Elon Musk met with a select group of House Republicans on Wednesday evening to discuss potential cost-cutting measures in an effort to identify up to $1 trillion in government waste, according to individuals familiar with the conversation.
One lawmaker present at the meeting expressed confidence in Musk’s approach, stating, “The executive team believes they can find $1 trillion in savings. Now, we’ll see how it plays out. He acknowledged that mistakes will be made but emphasized they would be corrected quickly.”
Concerns were raised about whether government agencies, such as the Treasury Department, have the capacity to implement Musk’s recommendations. However, Musk assured lawmakers that his team would assist in the process.
Multiple sources reported that Musk met with a House subcommittee for approximately 45 minutes before addressing a larger gathering of House Republicans. During the discussions, he highlighted areas where government efficiency could be improved, including an audit to ensure deceased individuals were no longer receiving federal benefits such as Social Security or unemployment payments.
“A lot of this comes down to cross-referencing databases and ensuring they communicate with each other,” said one lawmaker who attended the meeting.
Two lawmakers also noted that the idea of a congressional rescissions package was discussed as a potential strategy to cut unnecessary government spending. This measure allows Congress to cancel planned expenditures and can be passed in the Senate with a simple majority of 51 votes instead of the usual 60, making it possible for Senate Republicans to approve it without bipartisan support.
One representative confirmed the meeting but did not specifically address discussions regarding congressional spending authority. “We had an extensive discussion with Elon Musk and his team, gaining valuable insights. This collaboration is necessary and will be highly beneficial,” the lawmaker stated.
Also present at both meetings was Musk’s adviser, Steve Davis.
After the initial meeting, Musk engaged in a broader discussion with House Republicans, speaking for approximately 15 minutes before answering questions.
“Our goal was to better understand what Musk is working on and explore ways to coordinate efforts,” said one representative from the subcommittee.
Another lawmaker expressed concerns over a lack of oversight in government spending, stating, “There were no systematic checks in place to ensure taxpayer dollars were being used properly.”
Musk reportedly did not delve into ongoing fiscal debates in Congress but instead outlined early findings that revealed significant inefficiencies in government operations.
“The level of waste they are uncovering is staggering—it’s both laughable and deeply concerning,” one lawmaker remarked.
Another representative noted that Musk’s efforts were just beginning. “He’s investigating and uncovering issues that are hard to dispute. He admitted there will be mistakes, but his primary mission is to track where taxpayer money is going and let the results speak for themselves.”
The discussions took place amid growing scrutiny, as some House Republicans have faced pushback in their districts regarding Musk’s involvement in government matters. Some lawmakers previously expressed frustration over a lack of clarity on his efforts.
One representative voiced concerns about how these efforts might impact veterans and farmers, emphasizing that many people were uncertain about the details. Musk, in response, reassured lawmakers that veterans’ benefits would not be compromised.
These back-to-back House meetings followed a similar closed-door session Musk held with Senate Republicans.
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