DOGE Exposes VA's Costly Website Contract, Sparks Efficiency Drive
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has uncovered a costly contract by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for minor website modifications, prompting significant changes.
In a recent revelation, DOGE discovered that the VA had been paying approximately $380,000 per month for minor website modifications under a previous contract. This contract, now terminated, has been replaced by the work of a single internal VA software engineer, dedicating around 10 hours per week to the task. This shift highlights a dramatic reduction in costs and a move towards greater efficiency within the department.
The findings come amid broader efforts by VA Secretary Doug Collins to reform the department. Collins has defended cuts and staff dismissals as necessary steps to redirect resources back to health care, benefits, and services for veterans. The VA’s decision to cancel over 1,000 positions earlier this year is expected to save over $98 million annually.
DOGE, established by former President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, has been tasked with rooting out waste and fraud across federal agencies. Since its inception, DOGE claims to have saved Americans $140 billion, or $869.57 per taxpayer. Recent actions by DOGE include the termination of 113 contracts valued at $4.7 billion and the cancellation of $577 million in grants deemed as ‘America Last’ initiatives.
Despite these achievements, DOGE faces criticism for its extensive access to federal systems and its authority to cancel contracts and make cuts. As the organization continues its mission, the debate over its role and impact on government efficiency persists.