A group of fiscal hawks in Congress issued stern warnings to Republican leadership about potential Democratic efforts to curtail the Department of Government Efficiency's powers.

According to Fox News, conservative lawmakers from both chambers sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressing deep concerns about Democrats' demands to restrict DOGE in upcoming government funding negotiations.

The legislators made clear they would oppose any spending package that undermines President Trump's ability to implement cost-cutting measures.

Led by Senator Rick Scott and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, the group of 21 Republican lawmakers indicated their willingness to support a clean continuing resolution through the end of the fiscal year - a notable shift from their usual opposition to stopgap funding measures.

Their cooperation, however, comes with an explicit condition that the spending bill must not include provisions limiting DOGE's authority to reduce government waste.

Republican Leaders Face Mounting Pressure Over DOGE Powers

Speaker Johnson publicly addressed the brewing controversy during a recent Fox News appearance, characterizing Democratic demands to restrict DOGE as a "nonstarter."

He emphasized that attempts to constrain Trump's executive authority or interfere with DOGE's efficiency mandate would be rejected outright by Republican leadership.

The conservative lawmakers' letter specifically warned against any legislation that could be "weaponized against President Trump" as he works to fulfill campaign promises. This ultimatum puts additional pressure on Republican leaders already navigating complex shutdown negotiations.

The timing of this conservative pushback is particularly significant, coming just days before the March 14 deadline when parts of the government could shut down without new funding approval.

Trump Allies Rally Behind DOGE Mission

Trump himself has taken to social media to address the funding deadline, characterizing the situation as "a total MESS" left by the Biden administration. The former president expressed support for passing a clean temporary funding bill through September.

The Department of Government Efficiency, backed by Trump and Elon Musk, has aggressively targeted what it views as wasteful government spending and bloated bureaucracy. These efforts have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats who object to widespread budget cuts and federal employee layoffs.

Democratic lawmakers have sought to use their leverage in shutdown negotiations to ensure appropriated funds are spent as Congress intended, potentially including specific provisions to protect programs from DOGE cuts.

Bipartisan Support Critical for Avoiding Government Shutdown

The political mathematics of passing any funding measure remains challenging. Senate approval requires 60 votes, meaning at least seven Democrats must support the bill even if all Republicans unite behind it.

In the House, while only a simple majority is needed, the razor-thin Republican majority means virtually every GOP vote counts. The Freedom Caucus and other conservative groups have previously used this leverage to push for more fiscally conservative positions.

The March 14 deadline looms as negotiations continue between party leaders, with DOGE's authority emerging as a critical point of contention.

Final Stakes in Budget Showdown

The conservative coalition's letter represents a significant development in ongoing budget negotiations, with DOGE's operational authority emerging as a make-or-break issue for many Republican lawmakers.

Their willingness to support a continuing resolution marks a tactical shift in service of protecting Trump's government efficiency initiatives.

The next several days will prove crucial as congressional leaders work to craft a funding package that can secure sufficient bipartisan support while addressing conservative concerns about preserving DOGE's mission to reduce government waste and inefficiency.