Senate Finance Committee pushes South Carolina’s DOGE bill to floor for action as Democrats object

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) — Senate Republicans on Tuesday pushed forward a Washington-style DOGE bill aimed at looking into possible government waste, fraud and regulatory burdens — but not before some pushback from opponents who questioned its necessity.

“If we’re just doing this to look good for the rest of the nation, then let’s call it what it is and not waste our time on this,” state Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, said during a Senate Finance Commitee meeting.

The measure, sponsored by Murrells Inlet Republican Stephen Goldfinch, was moved to the Senate floor by an 18-3 vote. If signed into law — which requires full passage through the Senate and House before going to Gov. Henry McMaster — it would create a nine-person commission.

Modeled after the federal Department of Government Efficiency led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, South Carolina’s version likely would root out potential bureaucratic roadblocks for private sector growth.

Three members each would be appointed by the House, Senate and governor, all from the private sector.

“The commission shall first undertake the review of appropriations in the State budget to identify areas where spending reductions are appropriate,” language in the bill says. “The commission’s findings shall identify the amount of recommended reductions and identify the source of the reductions as specifically as possible, down to the program or subprogram level if possible.”

Lawmakers said Monday the commission’s meetings would be posted publicly, and its findings would be subject to the state’s FOIA laws. It also would have limited authority when it comes to accessing data.

“Nothing in this bill gives them access to sensitive information what would be off limits to us,” Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, said. “You and I can’t go to the Department of Revenue and pull someone’s income tax returns. Neither will they.”

President Trump made DOGE a centerpiece of his campaign and more than two dozen Republican governors have publicly signaled their support — including Henry McMaster.

“Our states are successful because we live within our means. We balance our budgets, lower taxes, leverage surpluses, pay down debt, improve the efficiency of state governments, and create an environment where our constituents can build a prosperous future for themselves, their family, and their community,” he said in a Jan. 10 letter sent to Congressional leaders.

Meanwhile, attorneys general from 14 states have filed a federal lawsuit saying DOGE gives Musk access to sensitive data and “virtually unchecked power.”

They asked the court to order Musk to identify ways that “any data obtained through unlawful agency access was used,” destroy “such unauthorized access in his or DOGE’s possession” and bar Musk and DOGE from ordering changes in the disbursement of public funds, canceling government contracts, taking steps to dismantle agencies and more.

State Sen. Ronnie Sabb, D-Greeleyville, said he worried about potential overreach from the state’s DOGE commission.

“Most of us have followed the national politics on the issue, and questions on whether or not people like these commissioners ought to be given access to what some of us would classify as sensitive information,” he said. “I’m more concerned about information related to South Carolinians moreso than I am governmental entities, but I’m just not sure what kind of guardrails we have in the legislation.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.