Dick Blumenthal report on DOGE waste

Blumenthal and the members of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations allege that in just six months, DOGE generated at least $21.7 billion in waste across the government, because of costs associated with layoffs, lost interest, and wasted goods.

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The biggest waste of that $21.7 billion figure comes from costs associated with the Deferred Resignation Program, which the report says is resulting in $14.8 billion in charges to pay approximately 200,000 workers to not show up for as many as eight months.

Another $6.1 billion was spent for the 100,000-plus workers who were placed on administrative leave pending separation—and were paid for weeks or months to not do their job.

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The report says “lost agency capacity will inevitably force a greater reliance on contractors, even though they often cost 1.8 times more in total compensation than the agency staff who once performed these functions.”

DOGE’s shutdown of several aid organizations and cutbacks at other governmental operations led to nearly $150 million in unrecoverable expenses, according to the report. Product spoilage and destruction at USAID cost just under $110 million as supplies rotted in warehouses, rather than reaching their intended recipients. Over 496 metric tons of food needed to be sent to landfills or destroyed. Also, over $12 million in HIV treatments and contraceptives were abandoned.

  Inc.

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