Merkley Statement at Committee Vote on OMB Deputy Director Nominee Bishop

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, issued the below statement at today’s executive session on the nomination of Dan Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Merkley, along with every Democrat on the Committee, voted against Bishop’s nomination.

Merkley’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Since President Trump took office, OMB has been at the center of many consequential decisions to radically change the federal government — including illegally impounding funds, cancelling programs for families, and firing federal employees.

These actions violate the law and violate the Constitution, as the Supreme Court has ruled twice in the past.

So, Senator Kennedy asked Mr. Bishop directly: “You're going to follow the law?”, and Mr. Bishop responded: “Absolutely, absolutely.”

But when Sen. Murray asked Mr. Bishop specifically if he would follow the law under the Impoundment Control Act, Mr. Bishop said that he would illegally “join Director Vought’s view” that “impoundment is within the power of the president.”

I’m deeply troubled by these inconsistencies in Mr. Bishop’s views and his willingness to follow whatever the president says.

The law is not a suggestion, and the president is not a king.

Government officials swear an oath to the Constitution, not to Donald Trump or Russell Vought.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote NO on the nomination.

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