Sen. Blackburn introduces ‘DOGE Acts’ bills targeting government efficiency

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) introduced a series of bills, identified as the ‘DOGE Acts,’ that aim to improve government efficiency and eliminate wasteful spending.

Five pieces of legislation fall under the DOGE Acts:

Federal Freeze Act

The Federal Freeze Act would pause salary increases for federal civilian employees, limit how many federal workers can be employed over a three-year period, and reduce the amount of employees at federal agencies. Certain workers who support law enforcement efforts, national security, public safety and public health would be exempt.

Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act

The Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act would approve a study to consider relocating certain agencies outside of Washington D.C. to other states based on financial efficiency, existing infrastructure, and related industries.

Federal Employee Performance Accountability Act

The Federal Employee Performance Accountability Act would create a performance based pay structure for some federal employees with the goal of improving productivity and accountability. The pilot program would last five years.

Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems Act (SHOW UP)

The Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems Act (SHOW UP) would require that federal agencies revert to pre-pandemic remote work levels within 30 days. It would also prevent federal agencies from expanding remote work without submitting its plan to Congress.

1%, 2% 5% Across the Board Spending Cuts

The proposed cuts would target non-security discretionary appropriations for FY 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter. The Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, and National Nuclear Security Administration would be excluded.

“The American people have had enough of outsized bureaucracy and wasteful government spending,” Sen. Blackburn said. “The DOGE Acts are the first step to achieving government efficiency by requiring federal employees to get back in the office, moving federal agencies into the heartland of America, cutting bloated federal spending across the board, and freezing federal hiring and salaries until we can rightsize the federal government.”