Insiders Advisor
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics

Insiders Advisor

Politics

‘Ultra-right’: Trump budget chief pick Russell Vought faces fire from Dem senators

by January 23, 2025
January 23, 2025
‘Ultra-right’: Trump budget chief pick Russell Vought faces fire from Dem senators

Democratic lawmakers grilled President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on a series of issues Wednesday, ranging from abortion to the constitutionality of the Impoundment Control Act. 

While Republicans argue that Russell Vought is qualified for the role because he served as Trump’s OMB director during the president’s first term, Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have labeled Vought an ‘ultra-right’ ideologue. 

Vought appeared before the Senate Budget Committee on Wednesday for a confirmation hearing and defended his previous statements that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional — an issue Democrats claim should disqualify him from leading the Office of Management and Budget.

The law, adopted in 1974, stipulates that Congress may oversee the executive branch’s withholding of budget authority, and affirmed that Congress holds the power of the purse. Ultimately, the law bars the executive branch from circumventing Congress and withholding appropriated funds.

The first Trump administration and Vought have come under fire after the Office of Management and Budget held up $214 million in military aid for Ukraine in 2019, a decision that ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment.

‘You’re quite comfortable assuming that the law doesn’t matter and that you’ll just treat the money for a program as a ceiling… rather than a required amount,’ Senate Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley said. ‘Well, the courts have found otherwise.’

Additionally, the Supreme Court also ruled in 1975 that the executive branch cannot impound funds without congressional oversight. 

In that case, Train v. City of New York, the Supreme Court determined the Environmental Protection Agency must use full funding included in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, even though then-President Richard Nixon issued orders not to use all the funding. 

Lawmakers have pointed to this case in Vought’s confirmation hearings as further evidence that the executive branch cannot tie up funding Congress has approved. 

Even so, Vought told lawmakers in multiple exchanges he believes the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional, because presidents historically could spend less than what Congress had approved prior to the Impoundment Control Act, and that Trump campaigned on that position.

Democrats aren’t the only ones worried about Vought’s views on the Impoundment Control Act. Senate Budget Committee chair Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he also shared some concerns and would disclose them at a markup hearing for Vought’s nomination. 

Vought also faced questioning on his views regarding abortion, given his connection as an author of Project 2025, a political initiative The Heritage Foundation released in 2023 that called for policy changes, including instituting a national ban on abortion medication. 

Other proposals included in Project 2025 include eliminating the Department of Education, cutting DEI programs, and reducing funding for Medicare and Medicaid. 

‘You have said that you don’t believe in exceptions for rape, for incest, or the life of the mother,’ said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. ‘Is that your position?’

‘Senator, my views are not important. I’m here on behalf of the president,’ Vought said. 

Trump has repeatedly stated that he backs abortion in certain instances, and stated that ‘powerful exceptions’ for abortion would remain in place under his administration.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pressed Vought on whether healthcare is a ‘human right.’ Sanders has previously introduced legislation called the Medicare for All Act that would establish a federal, national health insurance program. 

‘Do you think we should join every other major country on Earth and say, ‘You know what? Whether you’re poor, you’re rich, you’re young, you’re old, healthcare is a human right,’’ Sanders said. ‘We have the richest country in the history of the world. Do you think we should do what every other major country on Earth does?’

Vought declined to disclose specifics, but said that he believed it’s critical to provide ‘legitimate, evidence-based outcomes for people within the healthcare system, and to make sure that we tailor all of the dollars that are spent toward that.’ 

After serving as director of the Office of Management and Budget under the first Trump administration, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America in 2021. The organization claims its mission is to ‘renew a consensus of America as a nation under God,’ according to its website. Vought also served as the vice president of Heritage Action for America. 

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said his meeting with Vought only exacerbated his concerns about the nomination. 

‘I walked out of the meeting even more deeply troubled,’ Schumer said on the Senate floor on Wednesday. ‘Of all the extremists President Trump could have picked for OMB, he picked the godfather of the ultra-right.’

Vought has repeatedly told lawmakers that he would uphold the law and that his personal views aren’t important — carrying out Trump’s vision is what matters. 

The OMB is responsible for developing and executing the president’s budget, as well as overseeing and coordinating legislative proposals and priorities aligned with the executive branch. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
previous post
‘Totally prepared’: Trump allies say he’s better positioned than ever to enact agenda
next post
MORNING GLORY: President Trump has just issued an enormously consequential executive order

Related Posts

Project 2025 leader steps down amid criticism from...

July 30, 2024

GOP lawmaker rips Biden’s ‘weak’ foreign policy record...

July 18, 2024

Trump’s legal cases likely to die out amid...

November 25, 2024

Senators leapfrog House Republicans on anticipated Trump budget...

February 5, 2025

Statute of limitations for pandemic unemployment fraud expires;...

March 28, 2025

King Charles sends personal message of congratulations to...

January 21, 2025

SCOOP: Resolution punishing Al Green circulates House after...

March 5, 2025

Mideast oil powerhouse bans Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels...

August 14, 2024

SCOTUS sees ‘dangerous precedent’ in Trump immunity case...

April 26, 2024

Israel-Iran tensions rising as IDF pauses leave for...

April 5, 2024

Project 2025 leader steps down amid criticism from...

July 30, 2024

GOP lawmaker rips Biden’s ‘weak’ foreign policy record...

July 18, 2024

Trump’s legal cases likely to die out amid...

November 25, 2024

Senators leapfrog House Republicans on anticipated Trump budget...

February 5, 2025

Statute of limitations for pandemic unemployment fraud expires;...

March 28, 2025

King Charles sends personal message of congratulations to...

January 21, 2025

SCOOP: Resolution punishing Al Green circulates House after...

March 5, 2025

Mideast oil powerhouse bans Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels...

August 14, 2024

SCOTUS sees ‘dangerous precedent’ in Trump immunity case...

April 26, 2024

Israel-Iran tensions rising as IDF pauses leave for...

April 5, 2024

    Fill Out & Get More Relevant News


    Stay ahead of the market and unlock exclusive trading insights & timely news. We value your privacy - your information is secure, and you can unsubscribe anytime. Gain an edge with hand-picked trading opportunities, stay informed with market-moving updates, and learn from expert tips & strategies.

    Latest News

    • WATCH: RFK Jr Senate hearing disrupted by screaming protesters: ‘RFK kills people with hate’

      May 14, 2025
    • American Eagle shares plunge 17% after it withdraws guidance, writes off $75 million in inventory

      May 14, 2025
    • Republicans say they’re ‘out of the loop’ on Trump’s $400M Qatari plane deal

      May 14, 2025
    • Top House Dems say they’ll join GOP to quash Trump impeachment effort

      May 14, 2025
    • Dem lawmaker seethes RFK Jr’s ‘legitimacy’ as HHS secretary has ‘expired’ in heated exchange

      May 14, 2025
    • Republicans urge Trump to follow through on his plan to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities

      May 14, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,208)
    • Politics (5,535)
    • Stocks (904)
    • World News (454)
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: insidersadvisor.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 insidersadvisor.com | All Rights Reserved