Congress Girds for Shutdown Fight
President Donald Trump’s budget director may have more influence over federal spending during a shutdown, but after months of fighting, some Democratic lawmakers doubt things could get much worse.
It’s fair to expect Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to use a government shutdown “to his advantage,” House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters last week. Executive branch leaders have to make judgment calls during a shutdown, deciding which programs and employees are “essential” and which ones aren’t, a dynamic that may strengthen Vought’s already-active hand.
- “If you think they’re going to ...