Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA) stated Monday on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut” that Democrats are ready to withhold votes on any legislation until Republicans agree to subpoena either Elon Musk or members of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team.
During the interview, host Joy Reid asked Garcia if Democrats had made it clear to House Speaker Mike Johnson that they would refuse to vote on the budget or any government funding measures unless Musk or his associates were subpoenaed.
Garcia confirmed the Democratic caucus is prepared to use all available leverage. “I think we’re very prepared to use all of our leverage. And I think that Leader Jeffries is in those conversations right now,” Garcia said. “I’m personally not interested in giving Republicans any votes for absolutely anything until we get actual answers and protect the American people’s public data.”
Garcia emphasized the need to push back against Republican priorities and continue protests. “We’ve got to continue to do those efforts and continue to shut down their meetings,” he said. “Just a few days ago, we were at the Department of Labor. The DOJ’s team was actually on its way to that meeting, but there were so many people there surrounding the building that they canceled their meetings.”
He called for continued demonstrations and political pressure. “We’ve got to continue to show up, to call it out, to protest, and to commit not to work with Elon Musk, the DOGE committee, or any of these Republicans.”
The standoff between Democrats and Republicans over Musk’s influence and data privacy concerns has intensified as budget negotiations loom. If Democrats refuse to provide votes, it could threaten government funding measures, forcing further negotiations.
