OMB nominee 'can't commit' to forgoing 'pocket rescissions' funding gambit this year

Source: TPM

06.16.26 | 2:26 pm


Hal Duncan, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the deputy director for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), was in front of the Senate Budget Committee Tuesday morning for the first leg of his confirmation hearing.

Democratic members of the panel grilled Duncan on the actions of OMB Director Russ Vought throughout the first year and a half of Trump’s second term, during which he impounded and — with the help of congressional Republicans — rescinded funds that had been appropriated by Congress, in the process undermining the legislative branch’s power of the purse.

Duncan’s responses did not inspire much confidence that, if confirmed, he’d handle the day-to-day operations at OMB much differently. He is also scheduled to testify in front of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

If confirmed, Duncan — a former staffer of Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who currently works in OMB — will replace former congressman Dan Bishop, who is now serving as the interim Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Read more: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trumps-omb-deputy-pick-wont-rule-out-undermining-congress-power-of-the-purse