1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

The nomination of Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) raises significant concerns and should not be confirmed by the Senate. Vought has openly expressed disdain for federal agencies and career civil servants, stating his desire to "traumatize" them and undermine their work. As a lead architect of the Project 2025 manifesto, he advocates for an alarming expansion of presidential authority that would allow the president to override congressional spending decisions, in violation of the Constitution's separation of powers. Vought's dangerous vision for the OMB includes disregarding legal precedents to push the president's agenda, replacing expertise with political loyalty, and enabling a deregulatory agenda that benefits polluters at the expense of public health and the environment. His track record from the previous administration, including proposing steep cuts to vital programs like Medicaid and education, further demonstrates his willingness to prioritize ideological goals over the well-being of the American people. The recent unlawful actions by the Trump administration, including freezing congressionally-approved federal funding and attempting to eviscerate programs that promote environmental justice and diversity, offer a preview of the harm Vought could inflict if confirmed. His nomination represents a direct threat to the constitutional principles of checks and balances and the rule of law. For these reasons, the Senate must uphold its Constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on presidential appointments by rejecting Russell Vought's nomination as OMB Director. Confirming someone with such open contempt for the law and the functioning of government would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the foundations of American democracy.