Democrats have selected members to the House Oversight Subcommittee on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), warning that they will “fight back” against cuts to important government services.
The newly created agency, a key pledge of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, is tasked with reducing federal waste and increasing transparency in government spending. It was established via executive order on Monday.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., revealed on X Tuesday that she will be the ranking member.
According to Politico, Stansbury will be joined by Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), as well as Eleanor Holmes Norton, a non-voting congressional delegate from Washington, D.C. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., the full Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s ranking member, will be allowed to serve on the subcommittee as an ex officio member, according to the outlet.
Stansbury said that she will “use every tool available to work across the aisle and combat policies that are harmful to Americans.”
She stated in a video on X that Democrats are “100% in” DOGE if it works to increase government efficiency and help federal agencies work more effectively. However, if it is going to be “political theater to do the bidding of President Trump and his billionaire allies,” they are willing to “fight back.”
“I know what good government looks like and am not afraid to fight for it,” Stansbury added in a separate statement to Politico. “At the same time, I am prepared to fight to protect the vital programs, services, and employees that keep our communities safe and the economy running.”
Garcia, too, stated that he will use his position on the oversight subcommittee to “fight back” against the House Republicans’ efforts to “attack the federal workforce.” He stated that Republicans intend to slash key government programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid while providing tax breaks to billionaires and the biggest companies.
He targeted the subcommittee’s chair, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene and her extremist allies are helping push a radical agenda in this subcommittee that includes eliminating the Department of Education and programs for seniors and veterans,” Garcia said in an interview.
“We’re ready to fight back on day one, call out attempts to slash our social safety net, and make sure we take care of working families and the middle class.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Greene named the subcommittee’s Republican members: Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas; Rep. William Timmons, S.C.; Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas; Rep. Brian Jack, R-Ga.; Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.; Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo.; and Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas.
She stated that they offer a depth of knowledge and are committed to creating a more efficient, effective, and responsible federal government.
“Together, we will strive to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement within federal agencies, ensuring that the government operates efficiently and transparently for the American people,” Greene stated in a news release.
The developments come as former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy leaves the newly formed department.
Ramaswamy, who was appointed by Trump in November to lead DOGE alongside Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is poised to start a Republican candidacy for Ohio governor early next week, according to a HeadlinesForever source.
According to DOGE’s structure, running for political office requires him to stay outside of the organization. Mike DeWine, the Republican governor of Ohio, is term-limited and cannot run for reelection in 2026.