GOP Senators Aim to Confirm Trump’s Budget Nominee Despite His Reputation for Defying Congress.
It seems to be a positive outlook for Russ Vought in the Senate, as Republicans are gearing up to confirm him as the head of the White House budget office, despite his history of withholding funds that Congress has approved.
TroibNews 
Senate Republicans are enthusiastic about advancing the candidacy of a figure who could undermine their authority over funding.
As President Donald Trump boldly sidesteps Congress by issuing executive orders that freeze billions in federal funds previously authorized by lawmakers, Senate Republicans continue to express support for Russ Vought, the president’s nominee for the role of White House budget director. Vought is notably known for withholding government funds during Trump’s first term.
Key chairs of Senate committees predict a smooth confirmation process for Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget once again, despite concerns from some GOP senators regarding the preservation of Congress’ constitutional "power of the purse" against potential presidential overreach.
“I think all of us are going to vote for you,” Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham remarked to Vought during a hearing on Wednesday, where the nominee underwent his second public evaluation this month before Graham's committee.
“Bottom line is, I think you're qualified for the job. I know why he picked you,” Graham added, referencing Trump’s choice of Vought. “And again, we just had an election. And when you win, you get to pick people. And I'm glad he picked you.”
Confirming Trump’s chosen budget director at this time — when the president is implementing a significant freeze on federal funding — would bolster the White House's capacity to selectively decide on spending, potentially bypassing established spending laws passed by congressional Republicans and raising doubts about the legitimacy of future legislation.
Significantly, Vought did not guarantee on Wednesday that he would adhere to the impoundment law, which is designed to prevent presidents from withholding funds that Congress has allocated through the appropriations process.
Federal watchdogs have previously determined that Vought, along with other officials from the Trump administration, violated impoundment law multiple times during Trump's first term, notably with the freezing of aid to Ukraine, an action that contributed to Trump's impeachment in 2019.
However, Vought characterized the executive orders issued by Trump shortly after taking office as “programmatic delays” or “pauses,” asserting that they are intended “to ensure that the funding that is in place is consistent and moves in a direction along the lines of what the president ran on.”
While he pledged to "faithfully uphold the law" if confirmed, Vought acknowledged Trump’s belief that the Impoundment Control Act, which was enacted over 50 years ago to protect the congressional appropriations process from executive branch interference, is unconstitutional.
“The president ran on the notion that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional. I agree with that,” Vought stated, further clarifying that “what the president has unveiled already are not impoundments.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, expressed concern about Vought’s responses.
“Congress makes the law, not the president,” Merkley asserted. “The fact that you continue to advocate for this impoundment strategy, that is completely in violation of our Constitution.”
Under the sweeping orders issued by Trump following his inauguration, federal agencies are now obligated to pause funding associated with Democrats’ major climate initiative, the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021 with Republican support.
Funding for foreign assistance, including aid to Ukraine and Israel amid their ongoing conflicts, is also on hold for a period of 90 days.
Not every Republican is fully endorsing Vought. Sen. Rand Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee responsible for the OMB director's nomination, stated his belief that a president should not have the authority to allocate government funding differently than the provisions set forth in approved bills.
“The power of the purse is Congress,” Paul said during that hearing. “I think if we appropriate something for a cause, that’s where it’s supposed to go. And that will still be my position.”
Nevertheless, less than a week later, Paul led Republicans on his committee in backing Vought’s nomination, declaring, “There is no doubt he will be swiftly confirmed."
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
As President Donald Trump boldly sidesteps Congress by issuing executive orders that freeze billions in federal funds previously authorized by lawmakers, Senate Republicans continue to express support for Russ Vought, the president’s nominee for the role of White House budget director. Vought is notably known for withholding government funds during Trump’s first term.
Key chairs of Senate committees predict a smooth confirmation process for Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget once again, despite concerns from some GOP senators regarding the preservation of Congress’ constitutional "power of the purse" against potential presidential overreach.
“I think all of us are going to vote for you,” Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham remarked to Vought during a hearing on Wednesday, where the nominee underwent his second public evaluation this month before Graham's committee.
“Bottom line is, I think you're qualified for the job. I know why he picked you,” Graham added, referencing Trump’s choice of Vought. “And again, we just had an election. And when you win, you get to pick people. And I'm glad he picked you.”
Confirming Trump’s chosen budget director at this time — when the president is implementing a significant freeze on federal funding — would bolster the White House's capacity to selectively decide on spending, potentially bypassing established spending laws passed by congressional Republicans and raising doubts about the legitimacy of future legislation.
Significantly, Vought did not guarantee on Wednesday that he would adhere to the impoundment law, which is designed to prevent presidents from withholding funds that Congress has allocated through the appropriations process.
Federal watchdogs have previously determined that Vought, along with other officials from the Trump administration, violated impoundment law multiple times during Trump's first term, notably with the freezing of aid to Ukraine, an action that contributed to Trump's impeachment in 2019.
However, Vought characterized the executive orders issued by Trump shortly after taking office as “programmatic delays” or “pauses,” asserting that they are intended “to ensure that the funding that is in place is consistent and moves in a direction along the lines of what the president ran on.”
While he pledged to "faithfully uphold the law" if confirmed, Vought acknowledged Trump’s belief that the Impoundment Control Act, which was enacted over 50 years ago to protect the congressional appropriations process from executive branch interference, is unconstitutional.
“The president ran on the notion that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional. I agree with that,” Vought stated, further clarifying that “what the president has unveiled already are not impoundments.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, expressed concern about Vought’s responses.
“Congress makes the law, not the president,” Merkley asserted. “The fact that you continue to advocate for this impoundment strategy, that is completely in violation of our Constitution.”
Under the sweeping orders issued by Trump following his inauguration, federal agencies are now obligated to pause funding associated with Democrats’ major climate initiative, the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021 with Republican support.
Funding for foreign assistance, including aid to Ukraine and Israel amid their ongoing conflicts, is also on hold for a period of 90 days.
Not every Republican is fully endorsing Vought. Sen. Rand Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee responsible for the OMB director's nomination, stated his belief that a president should not have the authority to allocate government funding differently than the provisions set forth in approved bills.
“The power of the purse is Congress,” Paul said during that hearing. “I think if we appropriate something for a cause, that’s where it’s supposed to go. And that will still be my position.”
Nevertheless, less than a week later, Paul led Republicans on his committee in backing Vought’s nomination, declaring, “There is no doubt he will be swiftly confirmed."
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
