Senate Republicans advanced the nomination of Russell Vought to lead the White House budget office as Democrats boycotted the meeting to protest the administration’s recent efforts to freeze

The Senate Budget Committee on Thursday advanced Russell Vought’s nomination as Office of Management and Budget director, despite the panel’s 10 Democrats skipping the vote in protest.

The big news out of Russell Vought’s second confirmation hearing before the Senate Budget Committee was impoundment.

The Trump administration rescinded the explanatory OMB memo Wednesday but made clear that the administration was still withholding potentially hundreds of billions of dollars from states and nonprofits while officials reviewed their compatibility with Trump’s policy preferences.

Vought was OMB director during Trump’s first term. He already had a hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Vought, who was believed to be a major player in the controversial "Project 2025" blueprint, wrote "I believe that the 2020 election was rigged.”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) grilled Russell Vought, President Trump’s nominee to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget, over a budget proposal created at the think tank where he worked,

The Senate Budget Committee, led by Republicans, is set to confirm Russell Vought as budget chief. This decision proceeds despite Democratic calls for a delay following a federal grants and loans halt directive.

Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee for budget chief, has a plan: cut taxes for the wealthy, eliminate regulations on corporate power, and slash spending on government programs the rest of the country depends on.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) sought to keep expectations in check during an afternoon news conference at the Capitol, calling the end of the freeze a “small victory” in a “long war.” At the same time, there was a fresh air of excitement to his remarks.

On a call with Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, six Democratic governors pushed him to slow down the confirmation of President Trump’s nominees and to do more to block his agenda.