Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) shared some choice words late Wednesday for fellow Republicans getting cold feet over Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency cuts.
CNN's chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju said he spoke with both Elon Musk and Greene after Musk met with House lawmakers, some of whom have held combative town halls in recent days.
"One of the big debates that has been happening on Capitol Hill is whether to give Congress a larger say in all of this," he said. "Because this has been happening — these cuts and purges that have been happening across the federal government — have been happening at an administrative level," Raju said.
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He noted, "Congress has really been cut out of this process and that has been a concern from a number of members, particularly some who oversee some of these key committees. [They] want him to slow down, at least want him to be involved in the consultation process."
One member, when asked if Congress should have a vote on such matters, told Raju they already have a vote, referring to their vote on spending legislation. They do not have a vote on "the idea of codifying some of these issues into law."
"There is that debate on Capitol Hill about codifying cuts that DOGE is making," said Raju.
When asked about giving lawmakers that ability, Raju said Musk gave a noncommittal answer — "sure."
Raju emphasized that some lawmakers are concerned about the rapid pace of the cuts and want to ensure there aren't any more "mistakes," which Musk has acknowledged.
Raju asked Greene, who heads a subcommittee on DOGE's cuts, whether she agrees with her colleagues' concerns. And Greene — a staunch ally of President Donald Trump — jabbed her fellow Republicans.
"When you hear some Republicans say he's going too fast, slow down, what do you say to them?" asked Raju.
"I have not had any Republican tell me that personally," she said. When Raju replied Republicans have made such comments to CNN, she added: "Well, I, you know what I have to say to them is they need to grow a backbone. We're $36 trillion in debt. And this is how you save the country."
