Russ Vought has been confirmed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), securing a crucial win for President Donald Trump’s administration despite a desperate, all-night effort by Senate Democrats to block his nomination. The final vote was 53-47, with all Republicans backing him and every Democrat, along with independent senators who caucus with them, voting against his confirmation.
Democrats spent 30 hours protesting Vought’s appointment, filling the Senate floor with complaints about the Trump administration’s rapid changes to the federal government. Their attempts to delay the confirmation ultimately failed, marking a significant loss for those seeking to maintain the status quo in Washington.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the opposition, calling Vought “radical” and accusing Republicans of trying to place someone with an “extreme agenda” in charge of a key agency. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) dismissed these claims, stating that Vought would be instrumental in reducing government overreach and tackling reckless spending.
Vought previously led OMB under Trump and played a key role in advancing conservative budget policies. His confirmation signals a renewed push to rein in federal spending, roll back excessive regulations, and challenge entrenched bureaucrats who have resisted reforms. Under his leadership, OMB is expected to support efforts like Schedule F, which would allow for the removal of career employees who influence policy but are shielded from accountability.
Vought has been a vocal critic of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits the executive branch’s ability to curb wasteful federal expenditures. He has argued that the law forces agencies to spend money unnecessarily rather than returning unspent funds to taxpayers. Democrats have fiercely opposed any effort to challenge the law, fearing it would weaken their control over government funding.
The Trump administration is continuing to push through key nominations, with figures like Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy for Health and Human Services secretary moving forward in the Senate. Meanwhile, Democrats are attempting to delay votes on other nominees, including Kash Patel for FBI director.
