On the recordFebruary 5, 2025
I rise today to oppose Russell Vought's nomination to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. As the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have worked hard and across the aisle to strengthen our Federal Government's effectiveness in providing services that Americans rely on every day, to improve transparency in the way government operates, and to make sure taxpayer dollars are always used efficiently. These are some of the most fundamental roles the Federal Government plays in the daily lives of Americans, and we are duty-bound to ensure that they continue. But if Russell Vought is confirmed to lead the Office of Management and Budget, I am concerned that he will throw these principles out the window and wreak havoc on the services that Americans count on from the Federal Government every day. Although it may not be the most well-known Agency, the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, is a critical office in the Executive Office of the President, with significant responsibilities ranging from developing and executing the budget approved by Congress to improving Agency performance and reviewing regulations. The actions carried out at OMB affect the daily lives of millions of Americans, and this little-known Agency controls nearly every action that other Federal Agencies take, directing Agency policies as well as controlling their budgets.…





