Patty Murray Grills OMB Nominee on Following Appropriations Law

Appropriations Law and Executive Authority

• 🏛️ Senator Murray emphasizes that appropriations bills are law and not optional, expecting the Administration to allocate funds as Congress intends.
• ⚖️ She asserts that neither the President nor any other official can pick winners and losers or decide which laws to follow, as this power rests with the democratically elected Congress.
• ❓ Murray challenges the nominee on his refusal to commit to following the law, particularly regarding impoundment, which is explicitly illegal.

Impoundment and Budget Control Act

• 🚫 The nominee acknowledges President Trump's view on impoundment power but states he joins Director Vought's view, indicating a potential disagreement with existing law.
• 📜 Senator Murray points out that the Impoundment Control Act makes impoundment illegal, questioning the nominee's stance.
• 📊 The nominee attempts to deflect by mentioning the Senate's failure to complete the budget process annually, but Murray reiterates that appropriations bills themselves are laws.

Bonneville Power Administration and Federal Spending

• 💡 Senator Murray questions the nominee about Elon Musk's claims of mass firings at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to save taxpayer dollars.
• ⚡ She clarifies that the BPA is self-sustaining, funded by ratepayers, not taxpayers, and therefore, firing employees does not reduce federal spending.
• 🤷 The nominee expresses unfamiliarity with the BPA situation and offers to investigate.

Social Security Customer Service

• 💬 Murray inquires whether seniors should be able to speak to a real person when contacting Social Security.
• 🤖 The nominee admits that many services have moved away from live person availability for calls, but cannot promise improved customer service with workforce cuts.
• 📉 He expresses concern that cutting the agency's workforce by over 12% could lead to fewer people available to assist individuals with complex situations.

2020 Election Integrity

• ❓ Senator Murray asks the nominee if he believes the 2020 election was rigged.
• 🗣️ The nominee states he joins Director Vought's view on the matter, implying agreement with the assertion that the election was rigged.