WASHINGTON, D.C. – Almost no federal agency or department has been spared in the Administration’s efforts to trim down the federal workforce and drastically reduce spending. A handful of congressional Democrats are looking to get more information from the Administration on the economic and unemployment impacts these reductions could have in our local communities.
“Although we understand there is waste or potentially fraud and abuse that’s occurring in the federal government, there are already federal agencies in place to get rid of that,” said Del. Stacey Plaskett (D- Virgin Islands). “There’s the purpose of congress to ensure there’s not waste in federal government. Our concern is that we do not understand the rhyme or the reason for which agencies are having these cuts. There’s concern [Elon] Musk may have personal reasons for some of these agencies being cut in the manner that they have because he has a large portion of his wealth is based on government contracts. He’s been investigated by numerous agencies, removing inspector generals which are doing some of the investigation into his practices. It is kind of concerning.”
Congresswoman Plaskett is co-sponsoring legislation with a handful of Democrats, which directs the President and the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor Departments to give congress more details on the reduction of local gross domestic product in our communities as a result from the mass layoffs recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency.
“USDA has had cuts,” said Del. Plaskett. “USDA is there to bring grants and support to local farmers to homeowners through mortgages the USDA does in rural areas like the Virgin Islands, to support small businesses; And if you’re getting rid of a large portion of that, how will it impact those communities that are relying on those federal agents to support them in that work?”
The legislation also wants more details on the impacts to local communities and businesses will face by terminating large federal contracts, including the impacts of the increased unemployment rates from the mass firings.
“USAID was decimated,” said Del. Plaskett. “Lots of farmers were the ones providing the grain that was going to small communities in Africa, that is fighting famine in India, Sri Lanka and other places. So, by removing USAID we are not only in fact stopping our local people from the jobs they have but also we’re then creating vulnerabilities in our soft diplomacy and our soft power in those countries.”
The legislation also asks about the projected change in cost of imported goods through tariffs. The Congresswoman worries some businesses could even look at layoffs as a result of the increased costs. She also adds families will have to make tough decisions on their budgets due to the increased costs, too.
“There’s just tremendous ramifications,” said Del. Plaskett.
We reached out to the White House on this, but did not hear back.
