STORY: :: U.S. House Rep. Larson blasts Republicans

for blocking Musk testimony about DOGE

:: March 12, 2025

:: Washington, D.C.

:: Rep. John Larson, (D) Connecticut

“When this committee, the oldest and most continuous in the Congress, neglects its responsibility and essentially holds this hearing today to block any further discussion. The men and women on this committee are good people. They’re honest and caring people. And that’s why I do not understand why you would relegate this committee to no longer being of significance and resort to saying you will do whatever Elon Musk and Donald Trump tell you to do. Where’s the independence of the committee? Where’s the legislature? We’re an equal branch of government. And you start off with a blather and yet look at the empty seats here. Where is Elon Musk? I’m sure he’s a genius and is a very credible person because of the wealth he’s accumulated, but that does not put him above the law or the responsibility to come before this committee in this Congress. If he’s so great, if these plans and all the fraud and abuse that he found are so eminent, why isn’t he here explaining it? You know, why; because he’s out to privatize Social Security. He’s been on television the last couple of days talking exactly about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and what he intends to do, privatize it. The American people, some of them may have been born at night, but not last night.”

Larson accused Republicans of prioritizing Tesla CEO Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump over their legislative oversight duties, calling it a ‘very sad morning’ for the committee.

Larson also accused Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), of pushing to privatize Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.