By Nermeen Nabil 
In a bold move that underscores his commitment to transparency and technological innovation, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an Independent in the 2024 presidential race, has announced his intention to place the entire United States budget on blockchain technology. This announcement was made during a rally in Michigan, attracting significant attention due to the radical nature of the proposal. Blockchain, the technology behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, is famed for its decentralized, secure, and transparent record-keeping capabilities.
“I’m going to put the entire US budget on blockchain so that any American — every American can look at every budget item in the entire budget anytime they want, 24 hours a day,” Kennedy stated, according to The Hill. This move, he argues, would allow for unparalleled public oversight of government spending, potentially curbing wasteful expenditures and corruption.
However, Kennedy’s ambitious proposal does not come without its challenges. Currently, the digitization of government records is an ongoing process, with the Office of Management and Budget setting a June 2024 deadline for federal agencies to fully digitize their records. This transition from paper-based to digital records is a fundamental step toward implementing blockchain for the budget, yet the task remains daunting given the scale and complexity of the federal budget.
Critics argue that Kennedy’s plan addresses a problem that does not exist, as the federal budget is already public, with federal spending tracked and documented in public records. Despite this, Kennedy believes that blockchain could enhance transparency and public engagement in the budget process. “We’re gonna have 300 million eyeballs on our budget, and if somebody is spending $16,000 for a toilet seat, everybody’s gonna know about it,” he emphasized.
Kennedy’s interest in blockchain and cryptocurrencies extends beyond the federal budget. Over the past year, he has expressed support for backing the US dollar with Bitcoin rather than its current fiat system and has accepted campaign donations in Bitcoin.
While advocating for the use of modern digital currencies, Kennedy has voiced opposition to the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), which the Federal Reserve is currently exploring. A CBDC would represent a new, government-controlled digital currency for use by citizens, a concept that has faced opposition from several quarters, including Republicans and former President Donald Trump, who argue it could lead to increased government control over individuals’ financial activities.
Despite these controversies, Kennedy has been lauded as “strongly supportive” of cryptocurrencies by Stand With Crypto, a nonprofit backed by cryptocurrency advocates and Coinbase. His stance on blockchain and digital currencies has set him apart in the political landscape, promising a presidency that would leverage technology to enhance transparency and efficiency in government operations.
Kennedy’s proposals have sparked debates on the potential impacts of blockchain and digital currencies on government operations and financial systems. His call for “transactional freedom” echoes broader discussions on the intersection of technology, governance, and individual rights in the digital age. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Kennedy’s tech-forward platform is likely to generate further discussion on the role of digital innovation in shaping the future of American governance.
Nermeen Nabil Khear