Picture the Senate chambers under the spotlight, a whirlwind of political drama, and here is what happened! Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii kicked it off. On a Wednesday afternoon, he stepped up, and in a video he shared, he declared, “We’ll have 35+ Senators from the Democratic side who will vote against Russell Vought’s nomination for OMB director! ”  Senate Democrats were not having it. They demanded more time to debate Vought’s pick as the head of the Office of Management and Budget.  This was all because Democrats were worried about Project 2025 – a plan they say Vought would use to dismantle and reorganize the federal government.

        So, what’s the big deal with Project 2025?  Well, Vought was at the helm of the OMB during President Trump’s first term, and experts say he has his eyes set on a second term. Vought is a key part of Project 2025, a plan to reorganize the government dramatically in order to expand the power of the executive branch. But Democrats say this plan of Vought’s  would do irreparable damage to the federal government.

        Vought has been at odds with Senate Democrats for a while. Vought caused a stir when the federal grant freeze memo came out two weeks ago.  Although, the memo was quickly rescinded, many schools and social service programs still felt the fallout.  Vought had a vision.  A new kind of America in which the federal government was a different operation.  According to him, a new order is needed.  Even though, if the Democrats have a say in it, Vought will not come back to run the OMB. This is due to the fact that, days before the white house just announced that Vought was back on track to lead the OMB, new controversy popped up.   But how will the Senate Democrats get their way?

        Senator Patty Murray from Washington.  She warned about Vought’s control over the purse strings of the government.  And if a person could control the purse strings, they could control the government.  Think of funding issues, bill disparities and stalled projects.  If Vought was approved for OMB,  this could happen on a large scale.  This would not only affect a spending plans at the federal level but at the state level as well.  Vought is accused of working with President Trump’s administration during a key proposal.  The memo that allowed President Trump to disburse funds would affect presidential laws as well as the branch that deals with appropriations.  A big issue is that Vought does not seem to support laws on withholding congressional appropriations.  Democrats say the impact of this would violate a key law that has been in place since 1997 called the Impoundment Control Act.  The act allows for checks and balances and oversight on how funds are allocated.

        Democrats aren't just sitting back and watching things unfold. They want to make their voices heard.  They felt the need to converse publicly about their anxiety. They used a tool that they know would get them the attention they were looking for.  For 30 hours, they were part of a debate on the Senate floor to shed light on the fundamentals of Project 2025.  Their goal was simple.  Convince their fellow Senators not to approve Vought.  Democrats don’t want any part of Vought leading the OMB.

        They plan to make his confirmation process as slow and as painful as possible.  Democrats don’t want Vought’s plans to go ahead.

        The Senate is already in chaos.  The Democratic party has a daunting task.  They have to convince fellow lawmakers to reconsider Vought’s appointment.  A daunting task to ensure Vought's plans don’t come to fruition.  The ball is in Democrats’ hands with everything to lose if they can’t hold their ground.  The question remains, will they succeed?

All EYES On Senate: DEMS Protest Vought’s Nomination

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