House BillHR 1535Presidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsCongressional oversight
BAD DOGE Act
INTRO FEB 24· LAST ACTION FEB 24
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it addresses a fundamental question of government oversight and the balance of power between the President and Congress. If the allegations in the bill are true—that an executive order created entities that then overstepped their authority, potentially violating laws and the Constitution, and acted without proper accountability—then this bill is an attempt to rein in that power. It asserts Congress's role in determining the structure and functions of government agencies and ensuring that executive actions stay within legal bounds.
If this bill becomes law, it would prevent a president from using executive orders to create entities that allegedly bypass congressional authority or operate without proper checks and balances. If it doesn't become law, the "Department of Government Efficiency" and its associated groups would continue to operate under the Executive Order, potentially continuing the alleged activities that raise concerns about legality, transparency, and accountability within the federal government. This impacts how government services are managed, who controls federal data, and the legal framework governing federal employees and programs.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
This bill repeals President Donald Trump's January 20, 2025, Executive Order, which created the "Department of Government Efficiency."
This stops the existence and operations of the department and its associated groups, reversing its creation.
PROVISION 02
It cites that the United States DOGE Service (USDS) and the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization (USDSTO) operated beyond their authorized scope and organizational purposes.
This provides the legal and factual justification for the bill's action, highlighting alleged overreach.
PROVISION 03
The bill specifically notes that an individual (Elon Musk) led these organizations without proper appointment or compliance with federal ethics and disclosure requirements.
This raises concerns about accountability, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest within government operations.
PROVISION 04
It states that the USDSTO took unauthorized actions, including freezing payments, acquiring federal employee information, controlling federal payment systems, and attempting to terminate federal agencies.
This outlines the specific and significant actions that the bill aims to prevent from continuing.
Voters should care about this bill because it addresses a fundamental question of government oversight and the balance of power between the President and Congress. If the allegations in the bill are true—that an executive order created entities that then overstepped their authority, potentially violating laws and the Constitution, and acted without proper accountability—then this bill is an attempt to rein in that power. It asserts Congress's role in determining the structure and functions of government agencies and ensuring that executive actions stay within legal bounds.
If this bill becomes law, it would prevent a president from using executive orders to create entities that allegedly bypass congressional authority or operate without proper checks and balances. If it doesn't become law, the "Department of Government Efficiency" and its associated groups would continue to operate under the Executive Order, potentially continuing the alleged activities that raise concerns about legality, transparency, and accountability within the federal government. This impacts how government services are managed, who controls federal data, and the legal framework governing federal employees and programs.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
This bill repeals President Donald Trump's January 20, 2025, Executive Order, which created the "Department of Government Efficiency."
This stops the existence and operations of the department and its associated groups, reversing its creation.
high
It cites that the United States DOGE Service (USDS) and the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization (USDSTO) operated beyond their authorized scope and organizational purposes.
This provides the legal and factual justification for the bill's action, highlighting alleged overreach.
med
The bill specifically notes that an individual (Elon Musk) led these organizations without proper appointment or compliance with federal ethics and disclosure requirements.
This raises concerns about accountability, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest within government operations.
high
It states that the USDSTO took unauthorized actions, including freezing payments, acquiring federal employee information, controlling federal payment systems, and attempting to terminate federal agencies.
This outlines the specific and significant actions that the bill aims to prevent from continuing.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Executive Order
A directive issued by the President that manages operations of the federal government. It has the force of law, but can be overturned by Congress or the courts.
USDS (United States DOGE Service)
An organization created by the Executive Order, intended to improve the quality and efficiency of government software and IT systems.
USDSTO (U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization)
A temporary group created by the Executive Order, meant for a specific project, which the bill alleges operated beyond its temporary and limited purpose.
Separation of Powers
The principle of dividing government into different branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Anti-Deficiency Act
A federal law that prevents government agencies from spending money or obligating the government to spend money if Congress hasn't specifically approved it or if there aren't enough funds available.
Special Government Employee
An individual who performs temporary duties for the federal government, usually without pay or for a limited time, and is subject to certain ethics and conflict-of-interest rules.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
FEB 24, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 24, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
The official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.