FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 24, 2025
PRESS CONTACT:
maddy@focalpointstrategygroup.com
ICYMI: Following Senate Budget Hearing on Russell Vought’s Nomination to OMB, Leading Senate Democrats Slam His Dangerous Plan for Impoundments
Senator Schumer: “You Could Not Have A Worse Nominee In A More Powerful Position Than Mr. Vought”
Senator Merkley: “Mr. Vought Is The Most Dangerous Nominee Put Forward By Trump”
Washington, DC — Today, following the Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing on the nomination of Russell Vought to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Patty Murray, Jeff Merkley, Ben Ray Luján, and Tim Kaine held a press conference exposing his dangerous vision for the OMB, laying the groundwork for Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda. The senators, among other things, detailed Trump and Vought’s unconstitutional and unprecedented plan to illegally impound funds already obligated by the federal government.
During President Trump’s first week in office, he and his MAGA allies have begun implementing a clear plan to undermine our nation’s separation of powers by trying to wrest spending authority away from Congress. This unconstitutional power grab known as “impoundment” — where the president declines to spend money appropriated by Congress – would have devastating impacts for vulnerable Americans. Vought, the key architect of Project 2025 has made clear he will pursue a radical and unconstitutional expansion of Presidential authority at all costs. The Senate must reject his nomination.
Read More:
- Axios: Senate Dems sound alarm on Trump’s budget director
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer panned President Trump’s budget director nominee Thursday, arguing that Russell Vought will use the position to implement Project 2025.
- Schumer said at a press conference Thursday morning that Vought would help Trump carry out a “parade of horribles,” calling his nomination “catastrophic.”
- Vought was the co-author of Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for governance. Democrats warn that at the helm of OMB, he has the power to carry out its blueprint.
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said Vought would work to transfer the power of the purse from Congress to the White House.
- Democrats argue that Vought will ignore the will of Congress and allow Trump to carry out the law as he sees fit.
- OMB, which Vought also led during Trump’s first term in the White House, is the government’s central regulatory gatekeeper, exerting significant influence over the executive branch’s agenda, which includes developing the president’s budget request.
On Social:
- @AndrewDesiderio, Punchbowl News: Schumer holding presser on OMB nominee Russ Vought, whom he calls the “godfather of the ultra-right”
- @BoKnowsNews, Reuters: Senate Dem Leader Schumer declares OMB nominee Russ Vought is at “the top of the list” for troubling Trump nominees because of “how dangerous he is,” specifically Vought’s view on the admin withholding congressionally-appropriated funds. Schumer; He is the godfather of the far right. He is the chief cook and bottle washer for Project 2025. “It is a parade of horribles,” the senator says about Trump nominees.
- @SamanthaJoRoth, Washington Examiner: @SenSchumer and Senate Democrats making the case Trump’s cabinet choices are “a parade of horribles” but that Russ Vought, chosen to be budget chief” is “at the top of the list.”
- @RuanSchmelzFOX, Fox News: Using posters critical of Project 2025, Leader Schumer calls President Trump’s OMB nominee Russell Vought the “Godfather of the ultra right.” “He is the chief cook and bottle washer for Project 2025.”
In Case You Missed it:
- Checks and Balances War Room Statement: Vought Doubling Down On Illegal Executive Branch Power Grab Should Give Senate Republicans Pause
- During his hearing, Vought was unable to coherently defend Trump’s unlawful impoundment of funding appropriated by Congress and refused to acknowledge the Impoundment Control Act, confirming he’d carry water for Trump’s executive power grab of Congress’s power of the purse.
- Checks and Balances War Room Statement: Russell Vought’s Plan to Wrest Power from Congress is Unpopular and Unconstitutional
- Within moments of taking the Oath of Office, President Trump unleashed Vought’s unconstitutional and unprecedented plan to illegally impound funds already obligated by the federal government. In other words, the federal government has promised funding to specific grantees and, now, the Trump Administration is cancelling the check.
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