(The Center Square) – A Virginia congressman has introduced legislation to “bring transparency and accountability” to the Department of Government Efficiency.
Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a first-term congressman, says recent actions by DOGE are “illegal” and “unconstitutional,” resulting in the firings of “highly qualified” federal workers, dismantling of “congressionally-authorized agencies,” as well as “other actions that will lead to making Americans less safe and less prosperous.”
The congressman says his proposed legislation will “force” DOGE to be transparent and accountable “by making all of its actions public” and requires congressional reporting.
In addition, the legislation aims to track “damage” by DOGE to “critical government services” as well as the nation “as its secret members try to wield unchecked power to illegally take control of sensitive data.”
The Legislative Enforcement Against Setbacks from Harmful DOGE Actions Act, also known as the LEASH DOGE Act, focuses on DOGE employees. It requires DOGE to submit a public report to Congress that includes a complete list of its employees and advisors and requires them to disclose background check statuses, including security clearance and conflicts of interest.
The legislation would also require DOGE to testify before Congress on the types of sensitive information the department’s employees can access and mandate the department establish a public website to be updated weekly with information regarding employees’ roles, federal employee layoff data, funding cuts, and points of contact.
The Accountability in Government Efficiency Act would “require a report on the effects of DOGE’s actions on the long-term financial, public health, and safety interests” of the nation. The report would explain the actions behind the reduction of civil service employees, the termination of federal programs and outline the costs attributed to the pausing and restarting of federal programs. In addition, the report would state “the extent to which DOGE has, or has not, carried out actions in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974.”
Subramanyam blasted the efforts of DOGE, echoing numerous claims by Democrats critical of President Donald Trump’s efforts to trim the nation’s burgeoning debt.
“DOGE has usurped congressional authority and the will of the American people to make unauthorized, unconstitutional spending decisions and illegally gain access to extremely sensitive data of American taxpayers without any oversight or accountability,” Subramanyam said. “These bills are common sense measures to finally make DOGE accountable to the American people and stop its leaders from illegally taking away congressionally authorized programs and services.”
To be sure, DOGE maintains an active website that updates findings from government agency audits. In addition, it documents federal program cuts and taxpayer cost savings. Periodically, it provides screen grabs documenting evidence of what DOGE advisors perceive as “waste” or “misuse.”
In response to critics saying the group is posting classified information, DOGE maintains it posts publicly available data through FedScope.
Proponents of DOGE say government audits are being performed to shine a light on government transparency and spending.
