Republicans back OMB nominee despite spending uproar

By Katherine Tully-McManus, Jennifer Scholtes | 01/30/2025 06:33 AM EST

Senate Republicans who care about Congress’ spending authority won’t oppose Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget as Democrats accuse the White House of curtailing lawmakers’ power.

Russell Vought is sworn in for his confirmation hearing.

The Senate Budget Committee will vote Thursday on Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Angelina Katsanis/POLITICO

President Donald Trump’s pick for White House budget chief is expected to easily clear another key hurdle Thursday on his way to confirmation — despite the storm over the administration’s move to freeze congressionally approved spending.

GOP members of the Senate Budget Committee said Wednesday they are prepared to vote in favor of sending Russell Vought’s nomination to the Senate floor, as the former Trump budget director seeks a second stint atop the Office of Management and Budget.

The OMB ordered a sweeping freeze of federal assistance this week, followed by the whiplash of rescinding a key memo ordering that freeze. It caught even the most senior members of Trump’s party off guard, then sent them scrambling for answers.

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Still, many Republicans on Capitol Hill say they have no further questions for Vought or concerns about how this latest episode could be a preview of how he’ll push his record of withholding funding during the last Trump administration to the next level this time around.

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