By Real News Hub Staff | May 23, 2025
WASHINGTON – The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has launched what it calls a “Survey of Surveys” initiative aimed at identifying and potentially eliminating redundant federal data collection programs across government agencies.
The comprehensive review, announced Thursday, will examine hundreds of federal surveys, censuses, and data collection efforts to determine which programs provide duplicative information or have outlived their usefulness. DOGE officials estimate the initiative could save taxpayers billions of dollars annually while reducing regulatory burden on businesses and individuals.
“We’re drowning in surveys that nobody reads, collecting data that already exists elsewhere, and forcing Americans to waste countless hours filling out forms that serve no meaningful purpose,” Musk said during a press briefing at the White House. “It’s time to apply basic efficiency principles to government data collection.”
The initiative will focus on identifying overlapping data collection efforts across agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, Department of Agriculture, and numerous other federal entities that regularly conduct surveys and statistical studies.
Ramaswamy outlined the three-phase approach: first, cataloging all existing federal surveys and their purposes; second, analyzing redundancies and measuring actual utility of collected data; and third, recommending eliminations or consolidations to the relevant agencies and Congress.
“Some of these surveys were created decades ago for problems that no longer exist, yet they continue consuming resources and bothering citizens,” Ramaswamy explained. “We’re going to bring Silicon Valley-style efficiency to government data collection.”
However, the initiative has drawn criticism from statistical organizations and policy researchers who warn that eliminating important data collection could harm evidence-based policymaking. The American Statistical Association issued a statement expressing concern about potential impacts on economic indicators and social research.
“Many federal surveys provide critical information for economic policy, public health decisions, and academic research,” said Dr. Jennifer Martinez, president of the organization. “We urge DOGE to carefully consider the downstream effects before eliminating any data collection programs.”
Congressional Democrats have also raised concerns, with House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin calling for transparency in the selection process. “We need to ensure that legitimate government functions aren’t eliminated simply in the name of efficiency,” Raskin said in a statement.
DOGE officials indicated they plan to release preliminary findings within 90 days, with final recommendations expected by the end of the year. The review will include public comment periods to gather input from stakeholders who rely on federal data.
The initiative represents part of DOGE’s broader mandate to identify $2 trillion in federal spending cuts over the next four years, though critics question whether such dramatic savings are achievable without impacting essential government services.
Several federal agencies have already begun preparing inventories of their data collection activities in anticipation of the DOGE review, according to sources familiar with the process.