DOGE revealed a $4.5 million cut in grants on Tuesday, including substantial funds for alpaca farming in Peru and social initiatives in Bolivia and Brazil. With a new directive from the Biden administration, DOGE aims to streamline government spending but faces criticism over its authority and impact on diversity programs.
On Tuesday, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the cancellation of $4.5 million in grants. Among these were funds allocated for alpaca farming in Peru, projects aimed at reducing social discrimination of recyclers in Bolivia, and initiatives promoting cultural understanding of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil. The Inter-American Foundation, which was provided with a $60 million budget for foreign grants, has been reduced to its minimum operational capacity, now with only one active employee.
The canceled grants include $903,811 designated for alpaca farming in Peru, $364,500 to mitigate social discrimination against recyclers in Bolivia, and $323,633 for cultural initiatives concerning Venezuelan migrants in Brazil. Additional significant cuts affected various agricultural programs, including $813,210 intended for vegetable gardens in El Salvador, and funding of $731,105 to enhance the marketability of mushrooms and peas in Guatemala.
DOGE is currently led by Elon Musk and was established earlier this year via executive order by President Donald Trump. The organization’s duties focus on optimizing the federal government, streamlining operations, and executing substantial spending cuts within an 18-month timeframe. As of March 4, DOGE has reported substantial savings totaling approximately $105 billion across various operations and initiatives.
Critics of DOGE contend that the organization has been granted excessive access to federal resources and question the legitimacy of its power to annul federal contracts and implement cuts across numerous agencies. The organization has notably ceased many diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within federal entities, and has terminated various contracts and leases.
As of Tuesday, the Inter-American Foundation did not provide an immediate comment regarding the recent grant cancellations. This latest development in DOGE’s spending cuts highlights ongoing debates surrounding the efficacy and implications of its operations.
The Department of Government Efficiency has announced significant cuts, canceling grants totaling $4.5 million across various initiatives, including those for alpaca farming and social projects in Latin America. Led by Elon Musk, DOGE is tasked with streamlining government operations to achieve substantial savings. However, its authority and approach have drawn criticism regarding the potential overreach and impact on federal programs, particularly those aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
