DOGE’s Big Dreams Meet Congressional Reality

“Half of the people in the room were probably very excited, and the other half are in reality.”

Elon Musk in the Capitol Visitor Center

Plenty of Republican lawmakers say they would be happy to see changes to make the government function better and for less money. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP

Republican lawmakers were thrilled to meet with the leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency on Thursday.

Sure, DOGE is not a true department with statutory authority, but instead a kind of extra-governmental advisory panel. And sure, lawmakers didn’t hear much from the two men leading DOGE — the meeting was really a chance for members of Congress to share their own ideas. But they were glad someone shared their passion for cutting government waste.

Other than a feel-good talk, though, what can the recommendation-making body — with no real force of law — actually accomplish?