Kaine Statement on Confirmation of Russell Vought as OMB Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement regarding the confirmation of Russell Vought as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB):

“The American people deserve a federal government they can count on—one that is staffed by people who are hired based on merit and are committed to upholding the Constitution. And just like our federal workforce has our back—they deserve a Congress that will have theirs. This vote is an insult to both of those principles. But today’s temporary injunction against the sham federal worker buyout—which has Russell Vought’s name written all over it—is an important reminder that our work here isn’t over. To Vought and the rest of Donald Trump’s cronies intent on shredding the federal workforce: rest assured that when you break the law, we’ll see you in court.”

As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, Kaine aggressively questioned Vought during his confirmation hearing over a speech Vought gave in which he said he wanted to “traumatize” the federal workforce. He also demanded that Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) postpone a vote on Vought’s nomination until he answers questions regarding his role in the illegal freeze of many federal grants and loans that have already been appropriated by Congress. He took to the Senate floor for multiple speeches about Vought’s unfitness to lead OMB, including to help Senate Democrats delay today’s vote by sharing stories he collected from federal workers about how the Trump Administration’s attacks on the federal workforce have harmed them and threatened their ability to deliver essential services.

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