Some Republicans have expressed concern over the administration’s attempts to unilaterally dismantle agencies, programs, and contracts by revoking funds Congress already appropriated.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), a fiscal hawk who pressed Musk for a recissions package, said such a move was the only way to render any spending cuts “real and permanent.”

“There’s a disconnect here, that people think, ‘Oh my goodness, Elon’s cutting foreign aid. We’re not going to spend this on crazy stuff,’” Paul told reporters. “And yet, come March 14 — I’m not voting for it, but the rest of [Republicans] are going to vote to continue spending at the same level on foreign aid.”

Musk and senators did not land on a topline figure for what DOGE cuts could amount to, but Paul estimated it could ultimately be in the “hundreds of billions.” Musk’s DOGE has faced scrutiny for saying it’s saved taxpayers tens of billions of dollars despite accounting errors and removing line items without decreasing its total figure.

Musk was receptive to a recissions package, according to Paul and other senators in the room. The package would only require a simple majority to pass.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said Musk went so far as to urge congressional action in the wake of the Supreme Court earlier that day. He rejected the Trump administration’s bid to avoid paying $2 billion to contractors who already performed work for the now-defunct U.S. Agency for International Development.

Musk was set to also meet with House Republicans on Wednesday evening.

TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

His trip to Capitol Hill came amid increasing heartburn from congressional Republicans over DOGE’s overhauling of the federal government, particularly mass layoffs, cuts, and canceled contracts that have sparked widespread confusion among lawmakers. Republicans have expressed frustration over the inability to get answers from Musk and others at the White House on DOGE’s actions, which has prompted him to reportedly hand out his cellphone number to senators and pledge to establish other communication avenues for lawmakers to reach DOGE officials.

Musk and the White House are aware that the lack of communication is “a big concern they’re trying to fix,” according to Hawley.