Despite Democratic resistance and a 30-hour filibuster-style protest, the Senate has confirmed Russell Vought as the new Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in a 53-47 vote. This marks a major victory for the Trump administration, as Vought, a staunch fiscal conservative, prepares to take the helm of an agency that directly oversees federal spending—a key battleground in Trump’s second term.
Vought’s nomination was met with intense Democratic opposition, particularly over his views on the Impoundment Control Act—a law that reinforces Congress’s control over federal spending. Democrats argued that Vought’s stance on executive power over budgetary decisions disqualified him, while Republicans countered that his experience running OMB under Trump’s first term made him the most qualified candidate for the job.
In a last-ditch effort to block or delay his confirmation, Democrats held an overnight protest, delivering speeches well into the early hours of Thursday morning.
But in the end, Vought secured confirmation with the full backing of Senate Republicans.
During his confirmation hearings, Democrats grilled Vought on his 2019 decision to freeze $214 million in military aid for Ukraine, a move that played a central role in Trump’s first impeachment. They also challenged his assertion that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional, citing past Supreme Court rulings that affirmed Congress’s ultimate authority over the budget.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) accused Vought of disregarding federal law, stating:
“You’re quite comfortable assuming that the law doesn’t matter and that you’ll just treat the money for a program as a ceiling … rather than a required amount.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) expressed outright alarm, saying:
“I think our colleagues should be equally aghast, because this issue goes beyond Republican or Democrat. It’s whether the law of the land should prevail, or maybe it’s up for grabs, depending on what the president thinks.”
Vought, however, did not back down, asserting that Trump campaigned on the position that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional—and that he agrees.
Democrats also attacked Vought for his involvement in Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint created by The Heritage Foundation that outlines sweeping changes to the federal government, including:
- Eliminating the Department of Education
- Cutting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs
- Reducing Medicare and Medicaid funding
- Implementing a national ban on medication abortion
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) confronted Vought directly on abortion, citing his previous support for banning the procedure in all circumstances, including rape and incest.
Vought responded:
“Senator, my views are not important. I’m here on behalf of the president.”
This stance aligns with Trump’s position that while he supports certain restrictions on abortion, he also backs “powerful exceptions” for cases involving rape, incest, and threats to the mother’s life.
