After a prolonged 30-hour effort to stall his confirmation, Russ Vought has officially been approved by the Senate as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The 53-47 vote fell along party lines, marking a significant defeat for Democrats who sought to block a key Trump administration official from reentering government.
Vought, who previously ran OMB under President Donald Trump, is expected to take an aggressive approach to cutting federal spending and reducing the power of unelected bureaucrats. His return to the agency is seen as a direct challenge to the deep-rooted influence of career government officials who have resisted conservative reforms for years.
Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), spent hours attacking Vought’s record, accusing him of promoting an extreme agenda that would dismantle federal programs. However, Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), defended his qualifications, emphasizing that his leadership would help rein in wasteful government spending and excessive regulations.
During his confirmation hearings, Vought faced scrutiny over his support for policies such as Schedule F, which would allow the president to remove entrenched federal employees who have significant influence over government decisions. His willingness to restructure the federal workforce has made him a target for Democrats, who fear the Trump administration will use these tools to bypass bureaucratic resistance.
Vought has also criticized the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, arguing that it forces unnecessary spending rather than allowing agencies to save taxpayer money. His stance has alarmed Democrats, who view the law as a safeguard for maintaining congressional control over federal expenditures.
With Vought’s confirmation secured, the Trump administration is moving forward with additional Cabinet picks, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy for Health and Human Services secretary. The Senate is also expected to vote soon on Kash Patel for FBI director, a nomination that has already faced Democrat-led delays.
