Republicans have backed Russell Vought’s nomination and claim he’s prepared for the role since he led the office during Trump’s first administration. (Jacquelyn Martin/The Associated Press)
Vought’s statements on the issue left Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., "astonished and aghast" during a confirmation hearing with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC).
"I think our colleagues should be equally aghast, because this issue goes beyond Republican or Democrat," Blumenthal said last month. "It’s bigger than one administration or another. It’s whether the law of the land should prevail, or maybe it’s up for grabs, depending on what the president thinks."
Some Republicans have also appeared concerned with Vought’s views on impoundment. Senate Budget Committee Chair Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said last month he also shared some concerns and would disclose them at a markup hearing for Vought’s nomination.
Meanwhile, other Republican lawmakers share Vought's stance on impoundment. For example, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced legislation in December 2024 that would repeal the Impoundment Control Act.
Lee argued that the law’s "unconstitutional limitations" on the executive branch have "contributed to a fiscal crisis."
President Donald Trump ought to pull Russell Vought’s nomination altogether, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. (J. Scott Applewhite/The Associated Press)
Trump ought to pull Vought’s nomination altogether, or else he will "become baggage" for the American people and for the Trump administration, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters.
"What happened this week should be a lesson to President Trump," Schumer said. "Mr. Vought will be the architect of more losing for President Trump."
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But HSGAC Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Vought is the person Washington needs to "say enough is enough" and cut government spending.
"Mr. Vought has been a consistent advocate for fiscal sanity and has continually suggested strategies to decrease excess spending," Paul said during a confirmation hearing before HSGAC.
OMB is responsible for developing and executing the president’s budget, as well as overseeing and coordinating legislative proposals and priorities aligned with the executive branch.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-tees-up-trump-budget-chief-pick-russell-vought-final-confirmation-vote