Speaker Johnson Opposes DOGE-Backed Stimulus Checks, Citing Fiscal Responsibility
Introduction
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has voiced opposition to the concept of issuing stimulus checks funded by the purported savings of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The proposal, initially championed by President Donald Trump, has raised concerns among conservative lawmakers over fiscal responsibility.
Johnson’s Reservations
During the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference, Johnson expressed reservations about the proposed DOGE-backed stimulus checks. He argued that while the idea might appeal to voters, it does not align with core conservative principles of fiscal responsibility.
"Politically, that would be great for us, you know, because everybody gets a check," Johnson said. "But if you think about our core principles, right, fiscal responsibility is what we do as conservatives. That’s our brand, and we have a $36 trillion federal debt. We have a giant deficit that we’re contending with. I think we need to pay down the credit card, right?"
Trump’s Endorsement and DOGE’s Misinformation
Earlier this week, President Trump expressed support for the idea of using DOGE savings for stimulus checks. However, the proposal has been met with skepticism due to concerns about the accuracy of DOGE’s financial reporting.
An investigation by USA TODAY revealed that DOGE’s website contained misleading information about its claimed savings, including an error of nearly $8 billion. The website listed a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract worth $8 billion when it was actually only worth $8 million.
The Concept of DOGE Stimulus Checks
The idea of issuing stimulus checks using DOGE savings emerged earlier this week after James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, lobbied for a "DOGE Dividend." Musk responded to Fishback’s post, stating that he would consult with the President.
The federal government has yet to confirm plans to issue a DOGE-related stimulus check.
About the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
DOGE is a federal government advisory department established by Trump on his first day of office. It is tasked with finding ways to cut spending and regulations. Trump appointed Elon Musk as a "special government employee" to lead DOGE.
DOGE has implemented drastic cuts across several federal agencies, including the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Education, and the National Institutes of Health.
Opposition to DOGE
DOGE has faced opposition from Democratic lawmakers and government watchdog groups who believe Musk is breaching privacy and security laws. A lawsuit filed in a Washington, D.C. federal court alleges that the Department of Treasury violated privacy laws by granting Musk and DOGE access to government payment systems.
Conclusion
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has joined a chorus of lawmakers expressing concerns about the proposal to issue stimulus checks using DOGE savings. While President Trump has expressed support for the idea, skepticism regarding DOGE’s financial accuracy has cast doubt on its feasibility. The federal government has yet to confirm plans to issue a DOGE-related stimulus check.
