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Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump’s nomination to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on a range of issues from abortion to the constitutionality of confinement laws.
Republicans argue that Russell Vought is qualified for the role because he served as President Trump’s OMB director during President Trump’s first term, while Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, have called Vought a He has been labeled a far-right ideologue.
Vought appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee for his confirmation hearing Wednesday, defending his previous statements that the Seize Control Act is unconstitutional. Democrats say the issue should disqualify him from leading the Office of Management and Budget.
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Russell Vought served as President Trump’s OMB Director from July 2020 to January 2021 (Al Drago)
The law, adopted in 1974, affirmed that Congress retained budgetary authority, providing that Congress could oversee the executive branch’s withholding of budgetary authority. Finally, the law prohibits the executive branch from bypassing Congress and withholding appropriated funds.
The first Trump administration and Vought came under fire after the Office of Management and Budget withheld $214 million in military aid to Ukraine in 2019, a decision that ultimately led to Trump’s first led to his impeachment.
“It’s very comforting to assume that the legislation is not a problem and just treats funding for programs as a cap rather than a requirement,” said Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley. “Well, the court found otherwise.”
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Additionally, the Supreme Court ruled in 1975 that the executive branch cannot seize funds without Congressional oversight.
In this case, Train v. City of New York, the Environmental Protection Agency used all of the funds included in the 1972 federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments, despite then-President Richard Nixon’s order not to use all of the funds. The Supreme Court ruled that it must be used. Funding.
Lawmakers pointed to this during Vought’s confirmation hearing as further evidence that the executive branch cannot partner with funds approved by Congress.
Still, Vought told lawmakers on multiple exchanges that he believes the Seizure Control Act is unconstitutional because presidents have historically been able to spend less than Congress authorized before the Seizure Control Act. President Trump also campaigned based on that position.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (Kayley Greenlee) questions President Trump’s OMB director nominee Russell Vought as he testifies during the Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing on January 22, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. Beer/Reuters)
Democrats aren’t the only ones concerned about Vought’s views on seizure control laws. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, shared some of the concerns and said he would make them clear during the markup hearing for Vought’s nomination.
Vought has also been open to questions about her views on abortion, given her association as the author of Project 2025, a political initiative by the Heritage Foundation that calls for policy changes such as a nationwide ban on abortion pills in 2023. faced.
Other proposals included in Project 2025 include eliminating the Department of Education, cutting DEI programs, and cutting funding to Medicare and Medicaid.
“You said you don’t believe in exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother,” Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington said. “Is that your position?”
“Senator, my opinion doesn’t matter. I’m here on behalf of the president,” Vought said.
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President Trump has repeatedly said he supports abortion in certain cases and said “strong exceptions” for abortion will remain in place under his administration.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (R-Vermont) pressed Vought on whether health care is a “human right.” Sanders previously introduced a bill called the Medicare for All Act that would establish a federal national health insurance program.
“I think we should join every other major nation on the planet and say, ‘Did you know? Health care is a human right, whether you’re poor or rich, young or old.’ ” Sanders said. “We have the richest country in the history of the world. Do you think we should do what every other major nation on earth is doing?”
Vought did not provide specifics, but said he believed it was important to “deliver legitimate, evidence-based outcomes to people within the health care system and ensure that all funds spent to do so are aligned.” He said there was.
Russ Vought photographed during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, USA, on Saturday, February 29, 2020. (Stephanie Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Vought founded the Center for American Renewal in 2021 after serving as director of the Office of Management and Budget during the first Trump administration. The group claims its mission is to “renew America’s consensus as a nation under God.” Website. Mr. Vought also served as vice president of Heritage Action for America.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.) said the meeting with Vought only exacerbated concerns about the nomination.
“I left this meeting with even deeper troubles,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “Of all the extremists President Trump could have chosen for OMB, he chose the godfather of the far right.”
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Mr. Vought has repeatedly told lawmakers that he will uphold the law and that his personal views are not important, but that carrying out Mr. Trump’s vision is important.
OMB is responsible for developing and implementing the President’s budget, as well as overseeing and coordinating legislative proposals and priorities consistent with the executive branch.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Diana Stancey is a political reporter for Fox News Digital and covers the White House.
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