Musk, Ramaswamy eyeing federal remote work policies to help slash $2T from budget
SUMMARY
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-chairs of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are advocating changes to federal remote work policies as part of a broader effort to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget. During closed-door meetings with GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill, the duo emphasized reducing government waste and improving efficiency, criticizing widespread telework practices among federal employees. Musk highlighted a report by Sen. Joni Ernst, chair of the Senate DOGE caucus, which claimed only 6% of federal employees work full-time in-office, with some departments showing even lower attendance. Musk, a vocal opponent of remote work, echoed Ernst’s critique, citing examples of perceived telework abuses. Meanwhile, the Office of Management and Budget reported that telework-eligible federal employees spend 60% of their hours onsite.
