Latest news with #BlakeMoore
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What happened to Congress' big plans to help DOGE with spending cuts?
This article was first published in the On the Hill newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Friday mornings here. Hello, friends. It's been a long week on the Hill packed with tons of news and few hours of sleep (Rep. Blake Moore knows what I mean). Your author has been running on pure adrenaline and energy drinks for the majority of this week, and by the time you're reading this, I'll be knee-deep in budget drama and possible markups as Republicans scramble to advance President Donald Trump's agenda. But first, I'm diving in to what was once the biggest story in Washington but has since fallen to the wayside: What happened to Congress' big plans to help DOGE with spending cuts? Death of DOGE? Collaboration breaks down in Congress One of the biggest stories of the year on and off Capitol Hill is the Department of Government Efficiency: The newly created commission led by multibillionaire Elon Musk designed to cut spending in the federal government. The agency has done its job to dominate the news cycle and headlines. And it's certainly made waves in turning the government upside down. But in terms of its collaboration with lawmakers in D.C., that relationship has appeared to break down. Earlier this week, Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz — the first Democrat to join the congressional DOGE caucus — told Politico the group on Capitol Hill was essentially dead. 'It's defunct. We haven't met in months,' he told the outlet. DOGE was officially created on Jan. 20, the first day of Trump's second term. But DOGE-related caucuses began forming two months earlier after Republicans won the November election. At the time, Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who were expected to co-lead DOGE, expressed interest in working closely with Congress. This included weekly communications, podcast collaborations, and more, the Deseret News has learned. But after Ramaswamy exited DOGE — leaving Elon as the lone leader — that initial excitement began to diminish. The congressional caucuses were designed to provide recommendations to the administrative DOGE team for spending cuts. However, that collaboration began to break down weeks into the administration, according to several members of the caucus. In fact, there was 'no interest to accept any of (the recommendations) at that time,' one source familiar with the caucus' work told me. There was little to no outreach or communication with House members, which came as a shock to many members. 'There hasn't been any work done to do the initial plan,' I was told. For example, the caucus was supposed to meet with DOGE officials a few weeks ago but that meeting was canceled. Instead, the caucus has evolved into a more reactionary body rather than a collaborative teammate — at least, that's how several of these members described it to me. So now, five months later, the momentum has all but slowed. 'There has not been the collaborative effort that we were hoping that we would have,' Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, told me in an interview. Sessions acknowledged that DOGE officials inside the Office of Management and Budget are 'bright people' but they have run into bureaucratic issues that have slowed progress. Sessions also said that the busy schedule of Congress trying to get Trump's agenda through has hindered caucus projects. 'To be honest with you, I think we're so darn busy,' Sessions told me. 'We would have hoped we had (progress), and I still wish we will get it, and I expect to have it. But everybody has been so busy with our own great, great big bill.' And that slow movement has made some constituents confused, wary, and downright angry. In fact, I get emails from readers pushing me to ask lawmakers about DOGE and what exactly they are accomplishing up here. It's put some lawmakers in a tricky position. Take Utah Rep. Blake Moore, for example. His district has one of the most dense federal workplace populations in the country. And he's a co-chair of the DOGE caucus. 'We have an incredibly strong federal workforce district that works very hard, primarily in DOD, but (also) a big IRS processing facility, and a lot of them have just been really, really confused,' Moore told me in his office this week. 'We've worked closely with all the agencies to try to help navigate this with them.' One point of tension that has most concerned Republican lawmakers was Musk's initial strategy of firing federal workers as a way to cut down on costs. This is how one member put it: 'These folks that work within these agencies, the majority of them want to be a part of the solution. But then they felt completely attacked by a five-bulletpoint email that really had no strategy behind it. It was mostly just demonizing them, instead of actually trying to work with them.' Moore especially has pushed to include federal workers in conversations about how to identify waste and fraud within agencies, telling me the absence of such conversations is 'a missed opportunity.' The administration has since shifted from that strategy, placing Cabinet secretaries in charge of personnel decisions and operating in different ways to identify waste and fraud, which Moore says was a beneficial correction. Moving forward, it's not entirely clear what the DOGE caucus will focus on — especially if that communication with the administration is lacking. Congress is expected to receive a formal rescissions package in the coming months with official requests to approve his spending cuts. While that process will mostly pertain to the House Appropriations Committee, Moore and Sessions told me they expect the DOGE caucus to have some sort of role. And a message from Sessions to Moskowitz: 'He still should expect there to be significant impact from this new way of doing business, where it is going to be value added and efficiency-oriented. So he should not become dismayed just yet.' Budget blowup: The House Budget Committee is expected to complete its markup of Trump's big beautiful bill on Friday. But those plans could quickly change. Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, told reporters on Thursday there are 'potentially enough' votes to tank the framework before it can come to the floor next week. Republicans can only afford to lose one GOP defector during the committee vote — and at least three have said they are definite nos. Lawmakers catch a snooze: A handful of lawmakers — including our very own Rep. Blake Moore — were caught falling asleep during marathon markup meetings this week as committees advanced their portions of Trump's tax package. To be fair, the hearings dragged on through the night and lasted more than 12 hours (one even lasted longer than 24 hours!). Senate debut: Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, gave his first speech from the Senate floor with more than a dozen of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle in attendance. Curtis described the speech to me as a 'pinch-me, almost surreal moment.' And in the address, he urged his colleagues to work together to ensure success for the country while engaging in radical honesty with constituents. House Republicans made substantial progress on their reconciliation bill this week as every committee has finished its individual portion of the package, leaving just the Budget Committee to combine the components into one mega-bill. But with every step forward comes an obstacle to delay progress. GOP leadership is now tasked with its next challenge: Getting all members on board to support the package when it comes to the floor next week. It's a tall order. Assuming full attendance, Republicans can only lose two or three votes in total — and there are several factions growing within the conference that could threaten the bill altogether. SALT. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., acknowledged on Thursday that the main roadblock at the moment is the SALT Caucus. Here's a full explainer on what SALT is and how it's affecting the GOP conference. But a short recap: The SALT deduction limit is set to expire at the end of this year, which would return SALT to a deduction-free tax policy. As a result, Republicans from these high-tax states such as New York are using it as leverage to increase the deduction maximum to benefit their constituents — and are unafraid to tank the full package if those expansions are not included. Energy credits. Another line being drawn in the sand has to do with clean energy tax credits and GOP efforts to repeal former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a measure to repeal a number of clean energy tax credits included in the IRA, which has raised concerns among some Republicans who argue repealing those credits would raise costs and curb energy investments. More than a dozen moderate Republicans sent Johnson a letter on Wednesday urging leadership to amend the measure passed by the committee. The group stopped short of threatening to vote against the package, but it could spell trouble if leadership skirts the request. Medicaid cuts. One of the most significant changes proposed in the framework is to implement new work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill would require able-bodied adults without dependents to work at least 80 hours a month or complete some other activity such as community service. However, those requirements wouldn't kick in until 2029 — a stipulation that hardline conservatives say must be moved up or else they won't support the final package when it comes to the floor. As a result, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said that requirement could be moved up, although conversations are still ongoing. From the Hill: U.S. could hit debt limit in August. … Schumer halts DOJ nominations over Qatari jet concerns. … Arrests made at U.S. Capitol as Congress advance Medicaid cuts. … Rep. Blake Moore spearheads 'MAGA' savings accounts for children. From the White House: Trump endorses Utah GOP chairman in race against Lyman. … Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to nix affirmative action at U.S. service academies. … Trump signs deals with Qatar, meets with Syrian president. … Trump expected to sign several executive orders on nuclear energy. From the courts: The Supreme Court case that could change birthright citizenship as you know it. … Judge rules on outstanding matters in Utah school choice legal battle — clearing way for appeals. The House and Senate are back next week. The House will focus solely on getting its reconciliation package through the chamber by the end of the week. The Senate is patiently waiting to see if they'll actually get the bill in their hands when they return from Memorial Day recess. As always, feel free to reach out to me by email with story ideas or questions you have for lawmakers. And follow me on X for breaking news and timely developments from the Hill.
CNN
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Lawmakers fall asleep during hearing
Lawmakers fall asleep during hearing Republican Rep. Blake Moore and Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell both appeared to fall asleep during what were at-times contentious debates over provisions in President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending cuts package. 01:01 - Source: CNN Vertical Politics of the Day 14 videos Lawmakers fall asleep during hearing Republican Rep. Blake Moore and Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell both appeared to fall asleep during what were at-times contentious debates over provisions in President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending cuts package. 01:01 - Source: CNN Trump's surgeon general pick: Magic mushrooms helped me CNN's Erin Burnett and CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten look at how President Donald Trump's pick for surgeon general has endorsed therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs and how American attitudes toward the practice are shifting. 01:49 - Source: CNN Mistaken arrest leads to teen's ICE detention A northwest Georgia community voted overwhelmingly for President Donald Trump. Now it's desperately trying to save its residents from being deported. CNN's Dianne Gallagher reports. See the full story on CNN tonight. 01:28 - Source: CNN What to expect from Russia and Ukraine peace talks CNN's Clarissa Ward explains the significance of Russia and Ukraine meeting in Istanbul for peace talks, their first meeting in three years. 00:58 - Source: CNN Qatari PM defends offering plane to President Trump In an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, Qatari Prime Minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani downplayed the significance of the luxury jet gifted to President Donald Trump, saying it was a "very simple government to government dealing." 01:07 - Source: CNN Lawmaker asks RFK Jr. if he'd vaccinate his kids Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) asks HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. if he'd vaccinate his children for measles, chickenpox and polio at a hearing. 01:21 - Source: CNN See how Trump is being welcomed in Middle East CNN's Betsy Klein breaks down the details of President Donald Trump's lavish tour of the Middle East. 00:59 - Source: CNN Trump meets Syria's new leader In a historic meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Trump met with Syrian jihadist-turned-president Ahmed al-Sharaa and announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria. CNN's Becky Anderson breaks down who the Syrian leader is and why this meeting was so significant. 01:27 - Source: CNN New book reveals 'shocking' claim that Biden didn't recognize Clooney President Joe Biden did not recognize George Clooney when he arrived for a record-breaking June 2024 fundraiser the movie star was co-hosting, according to a forthcoming book from CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson. 01:06 - Source: CNN Will Trump attend possible Putin-Zelensky meeting? President Donald Trump continued to express interest in traveling to Turkey for a possible high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump is currently scheduled to be Doha and Abu Dhabi on Thursday. 01:06 - Source: CNN Syrians react after Trump says he plans to lift sanctions President Donald Trump announced he plans to lift sanctions on Syria during a speech in Saudi Arabia citing the fall of the Assad regime as grounds for the release of pressure on the country. Syrians spared little time before celebrating. 00:51 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett's whiteboard: The rising cost of your YETI bottle CNN's Erin Burnett uses her whiteboard to illustrate the rising cost of popular consumer goods like YETI products amidst President Donald Trump's ongoing negotiations with major global trade partners. 02:03 - Source: CNN Trans Master Sgt. grieves losing military career After a nearly two decade career in the military, Nick Wright says he will now be forced to discharge after the Supreme Court said that the Trump administration can begin immediately enforcing a ban on transgender service members in the military. 02:20 - Source: CNN Honig: Trump's birthright order 'doomed to fail' President Donald Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship are the most serious challenge to the 14th Amendment in a long time. CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig explains why he thinks the Supreme Court is unlikely to side with Trump. 01:08 - Source: CNN
CNN
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Lawmakers fall asleep during overnight hearings
Republican Rep. Blake Moore and Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell both appeared to fall asleep during at-times contentious debates over provisions in President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending cuts package.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wakey-Wakey, Congressman
Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) was spotted sleeping during a roll-call vote of the House Ways and Means Committee early Wednesday. (Watch the video below.) Several names were called as C-SPAN's camera panned across mostly empty seats before arriving at Moore snoozing away with his chin tucked downward. 'Mr. Moore,' a voice could be heard in a request for his tally. 'Mr. Moore?' Finally, Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) gently tapped him on the arm to wake him up. Moore sheepishly broke into laughter and gave a mini-bow as his vote was recorded as a 'no' on a Democratic amendment to President Donald Trump's budget package. In fairness to the slumbering lawmaker, the committee had pulled an all-nighter. 'All my other colleagues were in the back room dozing off; they just were smart enough not to do it on camera,' Moore told This Travel-Friendly Noise Machine 'Is A Game Changer For Sleep' — And It's Almost 50% Off 'Junk Sleep' Could Explain Why You're Tired After A Full Night's Rest Restless Sleepers Share Their 5 Go-To Secrets For Falling Back Asleep
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Members of Congress Caught Sleeping During Marathon Budget Sessions
Three members of Congress were caught falling asleep during lengthy overnight sessions Reps. Blake Moore, Debbie Dingell and Jan Schakowsky all seemed to doze off in committee deliberations that spanned Tuesday night into Wednesday morning Moore's Ways and Means Committee and Dingell and Schakowsky's Energy and Commerce Committee are all deliberating portions of President Trump's 'big beautiful bill'At least three members of Congress were caught nodding off during all-night committee deliberations over President Donald Trump's 'big beautiful' legislative agenda. Rep. Blake Moore of Utah and the vice chair of the House Republican Conference was seen slumped over in his chair during a House Ways and Means Committee markup in the early hours of Wednesday, May 14, as seen in video shared by FOX 13 News and on social media. When a vote finally happened just before 5 a.m. — following 17 hours of deliberation — Moore, 44, had to be nudged awake by his neighbor, Rep. Michelle Fischbach. The committee shared a laugh at the congressman's sheepish realization, and the vote continued. The committee ultimately advanced their tax component of the sweeping bill out of Ways and Means about three hours later. Next, it will go to the House Budget Committee to be packaged and eventually delivered to Trump, in the Energy and Commerce Committee, two more representatives were also caught getting some shuteye during a lengthy session that spanned Tuesday and Wednesday. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who recently announced that she's in her final term as a representative of Illinois' 9th district, was seen nodding off as her committee deliberated over spending cuts. "We're on hour 25 of our marathon markup where my colleagues and I are fighting all day and night to protect health care access for all Americans," she later posted on X. Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell also fired back at online critics who criticized images of her leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed during the marathon Energy and Commerce session. 'Been up for 31 hours straight fighting Republicans trying to gut Medicaid,' she posted on X. Dingell, 71, added, 'Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.' Republican leadership has said that they hope to have the finalized version of the 'big beautiful bill' on the president's desk by July 4, so more marathon sessions may be in store for Congress in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the three representatives under fire can take some advice from Sen. Ted Cruz, who was criticized for seeming to doze off during President Joe Biden's address to Congress in April 2021. Cruz deflected at the time by claiming that Biden's speech was both 'boring' and 'radical.' He accused the president of intentionally speaking in a 'dulcet' monotone. During his lively interview on Fox News after the address ended, the senator added, "I challenge you to remember a single line from the speech.' Read the original article on People
