On the recordFebruary 15, 2017
Mr. President, I rise in strong opposition to the nomination of Congressman Mick Mulvaney to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Based on his appearance before the Senate Budget and Homeland Security Governmental Affairs Committees, he appears to be a smart and articulate individual, but after examining his record and his testimony, I believe he lacks the fundamental judgment to serve in this important role. Mr. Mulvaney's tenure as a Member of Congress has been marked by symbolic stands and stunts that have been most successful in generating bipartisan opposition rather than support. Until now, it has mattered little whether his proposals have been motivated by firmly held principles or other motives. We have just been fortunate that few of Mr. Mulvaney's ideas have been made into law. However, with an appointment to a position of real authority at OMB, Mr. Mulvaney will have great power to put his ideas into practice. For that reason, it is worth reflecting on the positions he has taken. At times of national fiscal and economic turmoil, Congressman Mulvaney could consistently be found among those stoking the flames of pandemonium in order to advance a partisan or ideological point.…





