During a confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, addressed concerns about his stance on government shutdowns. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., raised questions about Vought's past statements advocating for the use of government shutdowns as a political bargaining chip.
In response to Hassan's concerns, Vought clarified that he does not support government shutdowns and emphasized his role in ensuring the government remained open during the longest shutdown in history. He acknowledged the negative impact of shutdowns on the federal government and expressed his commitment to keeping the government functioning in accordance with the law.
Vought, who previously served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget during Trump's first term, also acted as the office's director during a 35-day shutdown under the Trump administration. Despite his past experiences with shutdowns, Vought asserted that he is not in favor of using them as a tactic in political negotiations.
The confirmation hearing provided Vought with an opportunity to address concerns and clarify his position on government shutdowns. His statements during the hearing aimed to assure lawmakers of his commitment to upholding the law and avoiding disruptions to government operations.
