ICYMI: Chairman Graham Holds Confirmation Hearing on OMB Deputy Director Nominee Hal Duncan

ICYMI: Chairman Graham Holds Confirmation Hearing on OMB Deputy Director Nominee Hal Duncan

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today held a hearing to consider the nomination of Hal Duncan to be the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

On a third reconciliation package:

• GRAHAM: "If we can't pass a supplemental through the appropriations process dealing with defense and other matters … do you believe a third reconciliation bill focusing on defense and fraud would be justified?"

DUNCAN: "Yes, sir. Absolutely."

GRAHAM: "Are you ready to work with this committee to craft that reconciliation bill if necessary?"

DUNCAN: "Yes, sir. Absolutely. We've done two together, and I'm looking forward to a third."

GRAHAM: "So what areas would you focus on other than defense? In the area of fraud, do you have sort of a vision [for] what we could do in reconciliation to combat fraud?"

DUNCAN: "Well, I think in terms of fraud, supporting the work of the fraud task force is certainly critical. I've been honored to be OMB's designee to the fraud task force and have been able to see how the Vice President and his team have used the task force to coordinate amongst the agencies to root out waste and fraud to a degree we have not seen in recent memory. So, fundamentally supporting the fraud task force [and] ensuring that they have the tools they need to target fraud and root it out, I think, are two of the most important things we could do in a reconciliation package."

https://youtu.be/zuAwgIHtEWI?si=WpBWY1X9X_pQe7IK&t=286

On the President's defense budget:

• GRAHAM: "The budget's kind of an outline that the president submits to Congress and kind of a view of what we should be doing as a nation. Do you support the President's defense budget request?"

DUNCAN: "Senator, absolutely. I think the threats that we've seen in this world necessitate that level of defense spending."

GRAHAM: "So you think it's justified, right?"

DUNCAN: "Absolutely."

GRAHAM: "During the Biden years, they submitted budgets, too. Very few of them were approved as submitted. What's the biggest difference between … this OMB and Biden in terms of [the] budget?"

DUNCAN: "Absolutely. I think we've seen the successes of the past. [In] Fiscal Year 2026, we were able to secure a defense topline of $1 trillion by using both a mandatory and discretionary strategy. The President has recently recommitted to that strategy as recently as last week, calling for Congress to pass $350 billion worth of mandatory spending for our defense. So, I believe we use the strategies that we have proven work over the past year and continue to move forward … to provide for the defense of the American people."

https://youtu.be/zuAwgIHtEWI?si=-XghLrAY2pL9Qa8_&t=204

Click here to watch Chairman Graham's opening statement, questions and closing remarks

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