ABSENTEE BALLOT

Absent Dem Wants Do-Over After Motion to Subpoena Musk Fails

“Don’t be a d--k,” Elon Musk tweeted at Rep. Ro Khanna, who missed the vote that failed in his absence.

Democratic House Rep. Ro Khanna says he would have voted “yes” on a House Oversight Committee motion to subpoena Elon Musk that failed in his absence. “They called a procedural vote without notice & I like 8 others didn’t make it there on time,” he said, in a tweet. “Musk’s attacks on our institutions are unconstitutional.” The motion to subpoena Musk, whose DOGE task force has tried to take control of systems at multiple federal departments, failed 19-20. DOGE’s efforts, which have been carried out in part by non-government employees, have sparked concerns among Democrats and some Republicans that they’re breaking the law. Khanna is now a long way from December, when he claimed Democrats could work with DOGE to reduce the amount of money going to private sector defense contractors. He told Punchbowl News on Wednesday that he conveyed to Musk that he is “appalled by the unconstitutional efforts to block funding appropriated and authorized by Congress.” Khanna, who said he missed the hastily called vote because he was in a meeting with diplomats, called on the committee to vote again with advance notice. “He should be subpoenaed & answer to our committee,” he said of Musk. “Don’t be a d--k,” Musk replied.

See more of our coverage in your search results.

ADD THE DAILY BEAST ON GOOGLE

Sean Craig

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.