Grassley Questions Office of Management and Budget Nominee Russell Vought at Senate Budget Committee Hearing

Grassley Questions Office of Management and Budget Nominee Russell Vought at Senate Budget Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, today questioned Russell Vought, President Trump's nominee to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Grassley highlighted the importance of reining in the federal budget, protecting whistleblowers and responding to congressional oversight.

Video and excerpts of his questions follow.

VIDEO

Protecting and Empowering Whistleblowers

"Do you have any role in protecting whistleblowers, encouraging whistleblowers, maybe changing the culture in a lot of agencies that treat whistleblowers like skunks at a picnic? Would you tell me if there's anything you can do to help this process of whistleblowing that helps us explain, not just the waste of money, but also improper government action?"

Chevron Doctrine

"I'd like your view on… the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the Chevron Doctrine… how that can help you to stop our government from being overregulated, and stop bureaucrats from overreaching and using statues that may be liberally interpreted."

"So, you'll be watching that regulatory process to make sure that Loper is followed?"

Responsiveness to Congressional Oversight

"On September 15, 2023, I sent President Biden's OMB Director a letter asking a simple question: Where is the implementation guidance for the OPEN Government Data Act?

"At that point, OMB was five years late issuing that guidance. The guidance was intended to make government information more open and available. In the final days of the Biden administration they released the guidance, but never directly responded to my request. If confirmed, will you commit to ensuring OMB provides timely and complete responses to congressional oversight?"

Reining In Federal Spending

"Should you be confirmed, you will face the daunting task of reining in the bloated federal government.

"Besides crafting a responsible budget, what actions can you take as OMB director to begin rightsizing the federal government?"

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