DOGE canceled $4.5 million in grants, including funds for alpaca farming in Peru and projects for social equity in Bolivia and Brazil. The agency, led by Elon Musk, aims to optimize government spending and has reported substantial savings through contract terminations. However, critics raise concerns about its excessive power to make cuts affecting federal initiatives.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the cancellation of $4.5 million in grants on Tuesday. Notable cutbacks include $903,811 earmarked for alpaca farming in Peru and funds aimed at reducing discrimination among recyclers in Bolivia and promoting cultural understanding of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil.
DOGE, under the direction of Elon Musk, was established by executive order earlier this year to enhance the federal government’s efficiency by minimizing wasteful spending and streamlining governmental operations within an 18-month timeframe.
Significant additional grant cuts include $813,210 for vegetable gardens in El Salvador, $731,105 to boost mushroom and pea marketability in Guatemala, $677,342 for fruit and jam sales expansion in Honduras, $483,345 for artisanal salt production improvements in Ecuador, and $39,250 dedicated to beekeeping initiatives in Brazil.
As of March 4, DOGE reported contract terminations of 2,334 totaling savings of $8 billion, 3,489 grant terminations achieving roughly $10 billion in savings, and 748 lease terminations resulting in about $660 million in lease savings. Altogether, the organization claims to have saved approximately $105 billion through various measures including fraud detection and contract renegotiations.
Despite these savings claims, critics argue that DOGE has excessive authority over federal operations, voicing concern about its ability to cancel contracts and implement cuts. The organization has notably targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies in its budgetary reviews.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has implemented significant cuts to various grant programs aimed at supporting international projects and domestic initiatives. While proponents highlight the savings in wasteful spending, concerns regarding DOGE’s authority and focus on terminating critical programs have been raised by critics. The organization continues to seek efficiency improvements to resolve budgetary issues within the federal government.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
