Governor DeSantis challenges Congress to adopt Florida-style DOGE cuts, citing debt success and GOP inaction.

DeSantis Appeals to GOP Lawmakers Over Fiscal Reform

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a sharp rebuke to congressional Republicans on Tuesday, urging them to adopt DOGE-inspired policies aimed at eliminating government waste and curbing federal debt. The governor cited Florida’s own success with these initiatives as a model for national reform.

In a series of posts and public remarks, DeSantis contrasted Florida’s financial health with that of the federal government. He noted that under his leadership, the state has paid down 41% of its historical debt, bringing the average Floridian’s share to $400. In contrast, he said the average American carries a federal debt burden of $105,000.

“Elon Musk took massive incoming… to lead the effort on DOGE,” DeSantis wrote, praising Musk’s resilience against political and media criticism. He emphasized that despite popular support for cutting government waste, congressional Republicans have not taken concrete steps to implement DOGE reforms. “Not one cent in DOGE cuts have been implemented by the Congress,” he said.

DeSantis reposted comments from former government scientist Matt van Swol, who claimed 73% of Americans support these reforms. Van Swol criticized congressional inaction and accused lawmakers of abandoning a historically popular initiative.

According to DeSantis, Florida has achieved significant progress by increasing affordability, reducing taxes, and eliminating fraudulent expenditures. He warned that if Congress fails to act, they risk betraying the voters who entrusted them with power.

Procedural Stalemate and GOP Tensions

Libertarian-leaning Representative Thomas Massie echoed DeSantis’s frustrations, stating that planned rescission votes on DOGE reforms had been canceled. However, a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson denied the claim, stating that no rescission votes were canceled and that the Speaker remains committed to the process.

Under current rules, any formal rescission request from the executive branch—specifically the Office of Management and Budget—would trigger a 45-day window for congressional action requiring only a simple majority. Independent legislative proposals, on the other hand, would need 60 Senate votes, posing a substantial hurdle given the current political makeup.

Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats, while two independents caucus with the Democrats. These dynamics have limited GOP efforts to pass broad DOGE reforms without bipartisan support.

Despite these challenges, DeSantis maintained that the window for action remains open. He called for a balanced budget amendment and term limits for members of Congress to help resolve long-standing fiscal issues.

“DOGE and Elon were on a collision course with the swamp,” DeSantis said, asserting that entrenched interests in Washington are resistant to meaningful spending reform. His comments reflect a broader sentiment within the GOP’s fiscal conservative wing, which is pressing for immediate action as the appropriations process continues.

As Congress prepares for the next budget cycle, the pressure from state-level leaders like DeSantis may influence whether federal lawmakers revisit the stalled DOGE agenda or risk further internal division within the Republican Party.