Federal agencies struggle when Elon Musk's $1 spending limit disrupts operations

Federal agencies struggle when Elon Musk's spending limit disrupts operations

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According to Wired, federal employees at multiple agencies are working to perform basic job functions due to the $1 spending limit imposed on most government-issued credit cards. The change was implemented last month under the leadership of Elon Musk's Ministry of Efficiency (DOGE), resulting in widespread delays in scientific research, infrastructure maintenance and supervision. Government staff cannot order laboratory supplies, travel to get basic responsibilities or pay for critical services. Affected institutions include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Park Service, the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health. How freezing affects federal work science and research delays: NIH and FDA researchers are unable to order laboratories to supply, forcing them to delay experiments and climb materials. Laboratory animals are aging from the test window and need to be euthanized due to lack of resources. Infrastructure and maintenance booths: National Park Service staff are unable to monitor critical road repairs and maintenance projects. Regulatory and Safety Issues: EPA and FDA employees warn that delays in ensuring laboratory materials may affect food safety, drug testing and environmental protection. Government Travel Shelving: Employees at multiple agencies have cancelled travel unless it is related to national security, public safety, or immigration enforcement. Evidence processing interruption: Federal forensic laboratory is unable to transport evidence back to the agent, delaying the case and preventing the trial from moving forward. Musk and the Trump administration claim that the new policy eliminates wasteful spending, which federal employees believe is weakening basic government functions. NPS employees revealed that there are only four purchase cards with spending limits of more than $1 in the entire region, leaving many government operations at a standstill. Federal employees and agencies are scrambling to find solutions to barter as a supply and gather resources, but many fear that the longer the policy, the damage will get worse and worse, the email will be updated.

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