Russell Vought, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget, faces confirmation. hearing Wednesday in the Senate.
Vought previously held the same position during President Trump's first term and fought off several attacks from Senate Democrats. Senate Democrats accused him of a variety of crimes, including giving a “really good bureaucratic answer” that they felt did not answer the question.
“I know there was no resentment on the part of the Democratic Party regarding President Biden's actions.”
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) opened the hearing by complaining about the accelerated timeline for confirming Vought's appointment, arguing that his record “raises serious concerns.” did.
Mr. Peters repeatedly claimed that Mr. Vought violated the law and said he had previously withheld funds appropriated by Congress.
“You exploited the National Emergencies Act and planned to circumvent the laws passed by Congress by transferring military construction funds to building a border wall,” Peters said.
Vought fired back, calling this a “misrepresentation” and insisting he had not broken any laws. He argued that the administration took advantage of transfer authority that Congress gave the executive branch.
“Specifically, it's the transfer authority that Congress has given to the president on the basis of spending,” he answered.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) called Democrats “hypocritical” for not showing any anger when President Joe Biden ignored the Supreme Court's decision blocking the federal student loan debt forgiveness program. he accused.
“Do you think it's hypocritical that you introduced a bill to forgive student loans and now you're preaching about executive overreach?” Moreno asked Vought.
“I know there's been no anger on the part of the Democratic Party regarding President Biden's actions on this, and I'll leave it at that,” Vought responded.
Several Democratic senators, including Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, have said that Vought and the Trump administration are seeking emergency funding from political opponents in states such as California to fight devastating fires. He tried to argue that the provision could be withheld.
Mr. Peters asked Mr. Vought whether he would comply with Congressional subpoenas, claiming that he had not done so in the past.
Mr. Vought replied, “As you know, the President [Trump] He was being impeached at the time. The Office of General Counsel instructed executive branch appointees not to go to the Hill because agency councils are not allowed to participate in these proceedings, thus protecting privileged information. ”
“So, of course, I will come to Congress if subpoenaed,” he concluded.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) defended Vought.
“Last year, when the Biden administration refused to attend a hearing on global threats for the first time in 20 years, I don’t think this committee would want to discuss who can and cannot come to a hearing. “I don't think so,” Lankford said.
Lankford criticized Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray for refusing to appear at the hearing.
“I understand what happened during the impeachment. That was a very unique moment that I hope will never be repeated, but certainly this committee has received a lot of support from the Biden administration to this committee. I have not had any response from coming and appearing in court or submitting documents,” he added.
President Trump nominated Vought in November, praising him for knowing “exactly how to dismantle the deep state and end weaponized government.”
President Trump noted that during his first term, Vought and his administration “cut four regulations for every new one,” calling it a “huge success!”
“We will restore the nation's fiscal health and unleash Americans to new levels of prosperity and ingenuity,” he added.
Mr. Vought reacted to Mr. Trump's nomination as follows: states“I have unfinished business representing the American people, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be called upon again.”
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