Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made a significant announcement on Monday about updates to millions of Social Security records. DOGE stated that nearly 10 million Social Security records, which had listed individuals aged 120 or older, have now been corrected.
This cleanup is part of a major effort to improve the accuracy of records and save the government money.
Major Cleanup of Social Security Records
DOGE revealed that over the past month, the Social Security Administration has been working hard to remove outdated records. Nearly 10 million people, aged 120 or more, were wrongly listed as alive. These records have now been marked as deceased, with just under 2 million still left to update.
The cleanup process is ongoing, but it is a huge step toward improving the system’s efficiency.
Contract Cancellations and Savings
On the same day, DOGE announced the termination of 109 government contracts worth over $1 billion. This has resulted in savings of about $420 million. Among the cancelled contracts were those for services like website development and marketing consulting.
The Department of Energy and Department of Commerce had contracts worth millions for services that DOGE determined were unnecessary or overpriced.
Job Cuts Across Federal Agencies
DOGE has also been involved in reducing the size of federal agencies. In the past week, several departments have made announcements about job cuts. The Department of Health and Human Services will eliminate 10,000 positions, while the Environmental Protection Agency may lay off over 1,000 employees.
The Internal Revenue Service plans to cut around 18,000 jobs, and the U.S. Postal Service is laying off 10,000 workers.
Additionally, the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs are also planning significant layoffs. The Pentagon might cut up to 60,000 civilian workers. These cuts aim to save money and make government operations more efficient.
Spending Cuts and Savings
DOGE’s efforts have already saved an estimated $140 billion by March 30. While Elon Musk originally aimed to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, he later adjusted this target to about $1 trillion. As of late March, about $7.7 billion in savings were verifiable, including those from cancelled contracts and real estate deals.
Is DOGE a Government Agency?
Despite its name, DOGE is not a government agency created by Congress. It is a task force created by an executive order signed by Donald Trump on January 20, intended to modernize federal technology and make the government more efficient. DOGE focuses on eliminating waste, fraud, and inefficiency in federal operations.
Conclusion
DOGE’s recent updates and cost-cutting measures are an attempt to streamline government operations and reduce unnecessary spending. With millions of Social Security records updated and billions of dollars saved, the department’s efforts are reshaping how the U.S. government operates. However, the full impact of these changes will become clearer in the coming months.
FAQ’s
How many Social Security records were updated?
DOGE updated nearly 10 million records, correcting those listed as over 120 years old and marking them as deceased.
How much has DOGE saved?
DOGE saved $420 million by canceling contracts worth over $1 billion.
How many jobs have been cut?
DOGE’s actions led to tens of thousands of job cuts across various federal agencies.