Senate Republicans advanced the nomination of Russell Vought to lead the White House budget office as Democrats boycotted the meeting to protest the administration’s recent efforts to freeze

The Senate Budget Committee on Thursday advanced Russell Vought’s nomination as Office of Management and Budget director, despite the panel’s 10 Democrats skipping the vote in protest.

The Trump administration rescinded the explanatory OMB memo Wednesday but made clear that the administration was still withholding potentially hundreds of billions of dollars from states and nonprofits while officials reviewed their compatibility with Trump’s policy preferences.

Senate Republicans who care about Congress’ spending authority won't oppose Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget as

The big news out of Russell Vought’s second confirmation hearing before the Senate Budget Committee was impoundment.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) sought to keep expectations in check during an afternoon news conference at the Capitol, calling the end of the freeze a “small victory” in a “long war.” At the same time, there was a fresh air of excitement to his remarks.

Vought was OMB director during Trump’s first term. He already had a hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

FILE PHOTO: Russell Vought, U.S. President Trump's nominee to be director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), testifies before a Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Beal/File photo

Vought, who was believed to be a major player in the controversial "Project 2025" blueprint, wrote "I believe that the 2020 election was rigged.”

The Senate Budget Committee, led by Republicans, is set to confirm Russell Vought as budget chief. This decision proceeds despite Democratic calls for a delay following a federal grants and loans halt directive.

Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 who served as budget director in Donald Trump's first term, has signaled he will take a more aggressive approach to helping the president-elect carry out his agenda of shrinking the federal government.