East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho has joined the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus and introduced the Zero-Based Budget Act. This legislation aims to address the national debt, which exceeds $36 trillion, by reducing federal spending.

Risch emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "The reckless fiscal policies of the last four years are a crushing burden on future generations of families and taxpayers. Continued spending at these levels puts America into an increasingly dangerous financial situation that will leave our country, and our children, vulnerable." He further explained that his proposal would require all federal agencies to justify their spending levels and identify areas for cuts. "We must get America back on track," he added.

The bill is supported by several other Republican senators, including Mike Crapo from Idaho, Pete Ricketts from Nebraska, Ted Cruz from Texas, Tim Sheehy from Montana, Rick Scott from Florida, and Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming.

Key provisions of the Zero-Based Budget Act include requiring federal agencies to submit a zero-based budget every six years and reducing spending levels by 2 percent. The act also removes the assumption that current activities and funding are automatically continued. However, for national security reasons, the Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration are exempted from these requirements.

As part of his role in the Senate DOGE Caucus, Risch plans to collaborate with President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency to identify instances of fraud and wasteful expenditure while promoting economic growth through reduced regulatory burdens.