At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed the idea of using savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to issue direct payments to Americans, marking a clear break from recent proposals by President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
When asked about the potential for using DOGE savings to fund a so-called “DOGE Dividend”, Johnson emphasized fiscal responsibility over political gain.
“Politically that would be great for us… it gives everybody a check,” Johnson said. “But if you think about our core principles, fiscal responsibility is what we do as conservatives. That’s our brand. And we have a $36 trillion federal debt… I think we need to pay down the credit card, right?”
The comments received applause from the CPAC audience, signaling support for Johnson’s fiscally conservative stance.
What Is the “DOGE Dividend” Proposal?
The idea of sharing DOGE savings with Americans originated from a post by an Arizona CEO on X (formerly Twitter), proposing that 20% of the government’s savings from DOGE activities be distributed directly to citizens. Elon Musk responded positively to the idea, commenting:
“Will check with the President.”
Shortly after, President Trump floated the proposal publicly during a speech at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute in Miami.
“There’s even under consideration a new concept where we give 20 percent of the DOGE savings to American citizens, and 20 percent goes to paying down debt, because the numbers are incredible,” Trump said.
Johnson’s Reason for Rejecting the Plan
Despite potential political popularity, Speaker Johnson argued that the focus should remain on addressing the nation’s growing debt rather than distributing one-time payments:
- The U.S. national debt currently stands at over $36 trillion.
- Johnson believes DOGE savings should go entirely toward reducing the deficit instead of issuing checks.
- He maintained that fiscal responsibility is a core principle of the Republican Party and should not be compromised for political points.
“We’re conservatives. That’s our brand. We need to pay down the debt first before making political moves like this,” Johnson said.
What Is DOGE’s Role in Government Savings?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched under the Trump administration with Elon Musk as a senior advisor, was created to:
- Slash unnecessary federal spending.
- Eliminate bureaucratic waste.
- Streamline government systems for cost efficiency.
While the department has claimed significant savings, DOGE has also faced backlash for its controversial access to sensitive federal data, triggering 12 lawsuits from privacy watchdogs and Democratic state attorneys general.
Could the DOGE Dividend Still Happen?
Despite Speaker Johnson’s rejection, the idea of a DOGE Dividend is still being discussed in Trump’s inner circle. However, without congressional support, especially from influential conservatives like Johnson, the plan faces significant obstacles:
- Congressional approval would be required to allocate DOGE savings for direct payments.
- Fiscal conservatives in the House of Representatives are likely to block any such initiative.
- Public support could influence future discussions, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
Political Implications Moving Forward
Johnson’s rejection of the proposal highlights a growing divide between fiscal conservatives in Congress and more populist elements within Trump’s base.
While Trump and Musk see the DOGE Dividend as a potential political win, Johnson’s position suggests that the Republican leadership is more focused on reducing government debt than offering one-time financial relief.
This disagreement could become a significant talking point in the coming months as Trump’s re-election campaign gains momentum and fiscal policy debates intensify within the Republican Party.
