River Bend Times

Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued a statement opposing Russell Vought's nomination for Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The statement coincides with an all-night session by Senate Democrats on the Senate floor.

Merkley expressed strong concerns about Vought's suitability for the role, stating, "Russell Vought is dangerously unfit to serve in government. As OMB Director, he would be the chief engineer of the Trump Train that will run over working families and the programs they depend on." He further criticized Vought's approach to governance, saying, "To Vought, the President is a king, and the laws Congress passes are merely suggestions."

The senator attributed chaos and confusion across America to Vought's involvement in Project 2025. Merkley stated that Vought was responsible for drafting an executive order from President Trump that cut funding for various programs including health care and education. "This constitutional crisis showcases how dangerous he already is," Merkley said.

Merkley also accused Vought of viewing federal workers negatively and aiming to replace them with loyalists rather than professionals. He warned that such policies harm communities nationwide and accused Vought of intending to enrich wealthy Americans at the expense of working families.

Concluding his remarks, Merkley described these actions as part of what he called "President Trump’s Great Betrayal" of working families. He vowed to continue fighting against these perceived abuses of power: "This fight to protect our neighbors and defend the Constitution is only just beginning—they may inflict their worst, but it will only awaken our best."