The Republican Party is set to try again on its long-standing goal of shrinking the federal bureaucracy, despite past efforts coming up short. In 1994, Newt Gingrich-led Republicans targeted office space for downsizing, but a nondescript House annex remains controlled by Congress after three decades.
Lawmakers are now promising an ambitious effort to turn Washington upside down, eyeing tens of thousands of jobs and entire departments. Businessman Elon Musk has joined the Republican cause, advocating for abolishing federal agencies and drastically cutting spending.
Similar efforts have been made in the past, most notably under Ronald Reagan’s “Grace Commission” in 1981. The commission recommended reforms to rein in spending on programs like Medicare and government pensions but found that many ideas required action by Congress, which ignored them. Today, Republicans face similar challenges as they attempt to trim the federal footprint.
Despite the risks of a political backlash, some Republicans believe that this new leadership can be successful due to unity behind slimming down government. However, House leaders have pledged to explore ways to cut $2.5 trillion from mandatory spending programs, which has sparked concern among Democrats who fear attacks on social safety net programs.
The push for significant change is a familiar one in Washington, with past efforts ultimately failing due to bureaucratic resistance and partisan divisions. The question remains whether Republicans can succeed where others have failed.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/us/trump-america-government-republicans.html