Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall expressed his support for Russell Vought, President Trump's nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), during a Senate Budget Committee hearing. Marshall highlighted Vought's potential to benefit Kansans affected by previous administration policies, emphasizing the importance of continuing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and reducing federal waste.

In his opening statement, Vought discussed government efficiency and inflation's impact on Americans over recent years. He outlined plans to transform the OMB by reducing regulatory burdens and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government operations. Vought committed to prioritizing everyday Americans over bureaucratic interests while addressing the national debt crisis.

Russell Vought previously served as OMB Director during Trump's first term.

Senator Marshall remarked on inflation's effects on Kansas families, stating: "The average salary back home for hard-working Kansans is about $50,000 a year. Over the last four years, we’ve seen cumulative inflation of 20%, so that $50,000 only really could purchase about $40,000 worth of goods and services."

He further emphasized the significance of maintaining Trump-era tax cuts: "When we think about the Trump tax cuts though, those put $1,000 a month back into the pockets of Kansans. Overall, if the Trump tax cuts goes away, it’s going to cost Americans about $4.3 trillion over 10 years."

Marshall questioned Vought on making these tax cuts permanent and their economic impact: "I just want you to comment just a second on how big of a priority getting these tax cuts made actually permanent would be."

He also addressed concerns about federal budgeting practices: "Congress seems to not care about a budget. If Congress would go to a zero-based budgeting reform..."

Marshall sought clarification from Vought regarding federal borrowing's role in inflation: "You made the comment earlier that federal borrowing causes inflation... when the federal government is borrowing money... how does that lead to inflation?"

Lastly, he asked about lowering interest rates: "So, one of the goals would be to get interest rates down. What’s it going to take for interest rates to meaningfully come down?"