Democrats Boycott Trump Nominee Vote, But It Passed Anyway

Despite a dramatic display from Democrats on Thursday, Republicans proceeded with their agenda undeterred.

The Senate Budget Committee advanced the nomination of Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with an 11-0 vote, sending it to the full Senate, as reported by The Hill.

Democrats, who managed to find time to stage a media event criticizing Vought, opted to boycott the committee meeting entirely.

Their decision to abstain was fueled partly by opposition to the nominee and also by frustration over an OMB memo earlier in the week that proposed freezing grant funding while reviewing hundreds of federal programs.

Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio rebuked the Democrats for their boycott, calling it “extraordinarily juvenile.”

“This isn’t ‘High School Musical’ here. You know the serious business, United States Senate, for them to take their toys home and leave the playground is just really ridiculous. You know, these are old men. Honestly, it’s just very, very pathetic to see them doing that,” he remarked.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, chair of the Budget Committee, expressed his desire for a swift confirmation vote by the full Senate.

“We need to get on with getting the government up and running,” he stated, adding that he was confident Vought would ultimately be confirmed.

Graham appeared unfazed by the Democrats’ absence, telling Roll Call, “They’re not here. They chose not to be here. It’s their right not to be here.”

Vought’s nomination had already cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee the previous week, as that panel also holds jurisdiction over the OMB.

According to The Hill, Democrats labeled Vought as “clearly unfit for office.”

Reuters noted that opposition to Vought intensified when he asserted that a 1974 law, which stipulates that a president cannot de-obligate funding once Congress has approved it, is unconstitutional.

On Monday, an OMB memo announced a freeze on funding for a wide range of federal grant programs while the Trump administration evaluated whether they aligned with the president’s objectives, the Associated Press reported.

However, by Wednesday, the memo was rescinded, though the White House reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitor spending.

“The Executive Orders issued by the President on funding reviews remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented by all agencies and departments,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated. “This action should effectively end the court case and allow the government to focus on enforcing the President’s orders on controlling federal spending.”