Senator Lankford Unveils "Playbook for DOGE" to Tackle Government Inefficiencies
Senator James Lankford (R-OK), a founding Senate DOGE Caucus member, has released his annual "Federal Fumbles" report, a detailed compendium of government shortcomings and inefficiencies. This comprehensive 26-page document serves as a roadmap for the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is tasked with aggressively cutting federal agency spending.
In a letter to readers, Senator Lankford states his objective: "My goal is to create a roadmap for DOGE, identifying key areas within the federal government and solutions to fix them." The report highlights specific examples of government waste and mismanagement, offering actionable recommendations to enhance efficiency and accountability.
USAID Funding to the Taliban
One glaring fumble highlighted in the report involves the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which was recently dismantled by DOGE. A May 2024 report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed that $11 million in taxpayer funds had been diverted to the terrorist group, the Taliban, since 2021.
This discovery contradicted USAID’s own report, which claimed no money had been intercepted by the Taliban. Senator Lankford emphasizes the need for "a tougher, more comprehensive screening process to vet organizations and partners receiving aid" to prevent such incidents in the future.
Undermining Influence of U.S. News Organizations
The report also scrutinizes the U.S. Agency of Global Media (USAGM) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Senator Lankford asserts that these entities undermine the United States’ global image and domestic reputation, despite receiving significant funding from Congress.
Specifically, the report notes that USAGM’s Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) spent $956 million disseminating "United States government scandals and weaknesses within our country" in regions with limited freedom of the press.
Additionally, CPB, a private organization funded by Congress, provides substantial financial support to NPR and PBS. These outlets have long faced criticism from Republicans for perceived bias. An editor at NPR publicly called out the organization’s bias last year, citing examples such as its lack of coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop. This has prompted renewed efforts by Republicans in Congress to defund CPB.
Biden’s Border Fumble
Another significant fumble identified by the report is the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border. The report highlights that U.S. Customs and Border Protection released hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens into the country with a simple request to self-report to ICE for processing.
To address this issue, Senator Lankford calls for the reinstatement of the "Remain in Mexico" policy and urges Congress to pass legislation preventing future presidents from allowing illegal aliens into the country without vetting and closing the asylum loophole.
Conclusion
Senator Lankford’s "Playbook for DOGE" provides a comprehensive overview of government inefficiencies and waste. It offers practical recommendations for enhancing accountability and saving taxpayer dollars. The report serves as a valuable resource for DOGE as it continues its mission to reduce federal agency spending and improve government operations.
