River Bend Times

Democratic members of the Senate Budget Committee, alongside Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, have urged Chairman Lindsey Graham to delay Russell Vought's nomination as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The call for postponement is due to unanswered questions about Vought's advice to the President on the alleged illegal impoundment of funds appropriated by Congress. These concerns have intensified following an OMB directive to "freeze all funding for 'Federal financial assistance programs.'"

The Senators expressed their discontent with Vought's responses during a recent committee hearing. They stated, "While Mr. Vought stonewalled Committee members, he was already planning on halting programs that feed hungry children, heat the homes of low-income families, support farmers, and bring relief to those suffering from natural disasters."

The Democrats are requesting a two-week delay in the vote on Vought’s nomination to obtain complete answers from him. They argued that confirming Vought without clear responses would undermine Congress's authority over budgetary matters. "Mr. Vought is a clear and present danger to Congress’s Power of the Purse; his outright refusal to discuss his plans that were already in development is a slap in the face to every Member of the Committee, Democrat and Republican alike," they stated.

The letter urging this delay was signed by all Democratic members of the Senate Budget Committee and Leader Schumer.

In their letter addressed to Senator Graham, they highlighted Vought's evasiveness during a January 22 hearing concerning his potential advice on impounding funds in violation of constitutional and legislative mandates. They noted that Vought's written responses post-hearing failed to clarify compliance with laws regarding paused foreign aid funding and other appropriations.

The Democrats argue that these non-answers were intended to obscure details about an OMB plan under memorandum M-25-13 aimed at freezing federal financial assistance program funding.

Given these circumstances, they have requested postponing the scheduled January 30 business meeting on Vought’s nomination until full responses are provided.