The U.S. Senate confirms Vought as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget

On February 7, the Republican-led Senate on Thursday approved Trump’s nomination of Walter as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, putting control of government funds in the hands of hardline conservatives, who have been advocating for reducing congressional control over taxpayer funds. The Senate voted 53-47 to approve Walter’s appointment. Democrats denounced Walter as a dangerous far-right ideologue in an all-night marathon meeting. Mr. Water, who served as director of the Office of Management and Budget during Mr. Trump’s first presidency, criticized a 1974 law that prohibited the president from unilaterally blocking congressionally approved funds, a practice known as “seizure” that raised concerns among members of both parties.