Musk's $1 Spending Cap Cripples Federal Operations

Mar 03, 2025
WIRED
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Summary

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has imposed a controversial $1 spending cap on federal employee credit cards, crippling operations across agencies by delaying shipments, travel, and preventing employees from ordering essential supplies and equipment.

Key Points

  • Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has imposed a $1 spending limit on most government-issued credit cards used by federal employees for travel and work expenses
  • The spending limit is causing widespread disruptions across federal agencies, delaying shipments of critical supplies, stalling travel, and preventing employees from doing their jobs
  • Impacts include scientists unable to order lab equipment and materials, delays in ordering basic supplies, canceled trips for maintenance work, and concerns about mission-critical projects being stalled

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