Democratic senators on Wednesday pressed President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget on whether he would follow Capitol Hill’s directions on spending.
Appearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Russell Vought — who led the powerful White House office in Trump’s previous administration — sought to avoid disclosing details on the president-elect’s plans for his next term.
Still, he defended some of his contentious stances, including arguing the president should be able to withhold appropriated dollars.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the panel’s ranking member, said he was troubled by Vought’s record, noting he blocked money at the president’s direction when Trump was last in office. The White House then stalled disaster relief to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria ripped through the U.S. territory in 2017.
