© straightlinelogic.com/KJNSix Penny Plan
How the "Rand Plan" is Different
One may ask how this plan differs from other spending restraint plans. Notice that the bill does not single out specific areas for spending reduction, such as President Trump's failed DOGE plan. The bill is an across-the-board reduction, which leaves each federal agency to decide where and what to cut. For example, the Pentagon would have its budget reduced by six percent, forcing it to allocate funding among its major commands. The same would be the case with Social Security, Medicare, the EPA, etc. No agency would be exempt, although we can assume that there will be a great uproar, of course.
But Congress would not have to negotiate what to cut. In fact, it's possible that nothing would be cut out entirely. The responsibility would be with those who manage the programs who, after all, should be most familiar with the exact expenditures in their departments. One may say that Congress is neglecting its responsibilities, and there is nothing that prevents Congress from increasing expenditures or defunding anything as long as the six percent total reduction is met. One could envision public outcry over revelations that some high priority programs within cabinet-level departments were suffering cuts in order to save what the vast majority would consider frivolous expenditures. But this negotiation would be conducted within departments themselves and not at the congressional level.
Comment: A Berlin fool's errand or final 'Hail Mary'? Between now and 2028 changes will occur, little of it positive given the above.