First established in 1921 as the “Bureau of the Budget” inside the Treasury Department, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) serves to help the President review and get a handle on federal spending.
In newspaper parlance, it’s akin to the ombudsman role, evaluating the overall needs and effectiveness of seemingly countless agencies and their proposals, policies and responsibilities.
Under fiscally conservative leadership, the director of the department might be compared to Dave Ramsey, the popular finance expert who advocates for living within our means.
Enter Russ Vought, President Donald Trump’s nominee to direct the critically important office.
On Wednesday, Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham told Vought at his latest confirmation hearing:
“I think all of us are going to vote for you. Bottom line is, I think you’re qualified for the job. I know why he picked you. And again, we just had an election. And when you win, you get to pick people. And I’m glad he picked you.”
Russ Vought previously headed the department between July 2020 and January 2021. Before assuming the top role, he served as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the OMB.
Since the end of the first Trump administration, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America – an organization unapologetically declaring that America is a nation “under God with unique interests worthy of defending that flow from its people, institutions, and history, where individuals’ enjoyment of freedom is predicated on just laws and healthy communities.”
But in his expected role at the OMB, Russ Vought will do a lot more than serve as a budget watch dog and monitor of the government purse. That’s because he recognizes that budget and priorities are intrinsically linked.
Afterall, it was Jesus who stated, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” (Matthew 6:21).
Vought’s confirmation, though, isn’t a slam dunk as some senators are quick to point out it’s Congress that oversees spending.
“The power of the purse is Congress,” Senator Rand Paul stated during last week’s hearing. “I think if we appropriate something for a cause, that’s where it’s supposed to go. And that will still be my position.”
A graduate of Wheaton College, Vought has been accused of orchestrating all kinds of sinister plots including a theocratic takeover of the government. This is the type of nonsense and silliness that serious Christians who publicly express their faith can incur in Washington, D.C.
In truth, Russ is a strong believer, married to Mary, and a father to daughters Ella and Porter.
The Trump administration is currently filling thousands of roles, the vast majority of which are behind the scenes. Because everything affects everything else, they’re all important. We would be wise to pray for this ongoing process, and also for the Voughts and other appointees in waiting.
Dave Ramsey has said, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”
Russ Vought is promising to do just that at the OMB, and maybe even help America live within its means by living like nobody else so that we can continue to live like no other country in the world.
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