Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee say they will boycott Thursday’s scheduled vote on Russ Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
It won’t affect the panel’s ability to send Vought’s nomination to the Senate floor, as Budget Committee rules only require 11 members to be present and voting, according to a committee aide for Republicans.
But Democrats are nonetheless sending a strong message about their displeasure with the Trump administration’s decision to freeze federal funding across the government — and fears that Vought, who led OMB during President Donald Trump’s first term, will be a cheerleader in that effort.
The committee vote is scheduled for Thursday at noon. Democrats have scheduled a press conference at the same time as counterprogramming the panel’s business meeting with a chance to voice their opposition.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has shared jurisdiction over the OMB nominee, advanced Vought along party lines the same day Trump was sworn into office.
