Over texts and ‘eyeball to eyeball,’ Republicans succeed in persuading Musk. But Democrats hit dead ends

When a multi-million federal grant program for dairy businesses was shut down earlier this month in line with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency push to downsize the government, Wisconsin lawmakers on both sides of the aisle sprang into action to try and save it.

When a multi-million federal grant program for dairy businesses was shut down earlier this month in line with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency push to downsize the government, Wisconsin lawmakers on both sides of the aisle sprang into action to try and save it. The Democratic senator who created the program, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, ran into resistance, facing dead ends in the Trump administration before eventually reaching the Agriculture secretary. GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden, meanwhile, spoke with the secretary but was also able to go straight to Elon Musk, making his case directly during a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers last week. “I was eyeball to eyeball with Elon Musk,” said Van Orden, who told CNN he now has a meeting with Musk’s top lieutenant, Steve Davis, secured for this week. The funding was ultimately released. The episode pinpoints a developing pattern on Capitol Hill: Republican lawmakers are enjoying more access – and having more success – in their attempts to convince the White House to reverse cuts to certain programs and workers, while Democrats are largely striking out.