The Senate has confirmed Russ Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), marking a major setback for Democrats who spent 30 hours attempting to delay his nomination. The final vote, 53-47, fell along party lines, securing a victory for President Donald Trump’s administration.
Vought, who previously ran OMB during Trump’s first term, is expected to push forward with aggressive budget cuts, roll back unnecessary regulations, and remove entrenched bureaucrats standing in the way of conservative reforms. His appointment signals a renewed effort to reshape the federal government to align with Trump’s America First agenda.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the opposition against Vought, accusing him of promoting extreme policies that would harm federal agencies. Schumer warned that Vought’s return to OMB would accelerate efforts to dismantle government programs and disrupt Washington’s traditional power structure. Despite these claims, Republicans remained unified in their support.
Vought’s confirmation has heightened concerns among Democrats about Schedule F, a classification that could allow the president to fire career employees who shape government policy. His support for the measure has been a key issue in the fight over his nomination, with leftist lawmakers fearing it will undermine their influence over federal agencies.
In addition to workforce reforms, Vought has challenged the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which requires federal agencies to spend all money allocated by Congress. He has argued that the law forces wasteful spending and prevents the executive branch from saving taxpayer dollars. Democrats strongly oppose his stance, fearing that overturning the law would weaken congressional authority.
The Trump administration continues to push forward with key nominations, with votes expected soon on Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy for Health and Human Services secretary. Meanwhile, Democrats have managed to delay the confirmation of Kash Patel for FBI director by another week.
