Senate Majority Leader John Thune has accused Democrats of unfairly blaming White House budget director Russ Vought for the fallout from the government shutdown, asserting that they ‘don’t control what he’s going to do.’ In an exclusive interview, Thune emphasized that the shutdown itself is the primary cause of the situation, leaving Democrats to ‘think long and hard’ about the consequences.
Thune’s remarks follow growing Republican concerns over Vought’s aggressive strategies, including potential mass layoffs and program cuts, raised during a private House GOP meeting. Several lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, expressed discomfort with Vought’s decision to halt major transportation projects in their states. Similarly, Reps. Blake Moore of Utah and Brian Babin of Texas raised concerns about the potential for mass layoffs during a House GOP call with Vought.
The White House has consistently framed the shutdown as a tool to pressure Democrats, with Vought warning of severe consequences in his role as OMB director. In a memo first reported by POLITICO, Vought instructed agencies to prepare for reductions-in-force, or firings, of federal employees, with layoffs anticipated to begin within days.
While Democrats argue that Vought’s actions are a bluff, framing them as a political ploy to extract concessions, Thune’s comments underscore the growing frustration on the Republican side. The Senate Democratic caucus has been divided on the issue, with some members, like Sen. Angus King of Maine, supporting short-term measures to avert a prolonged shutdown, fearing the administration’s response could harm federal operations.
Democrats have criticized the shutdown as a deliberate strategy by Trump and Vought to weaken the federal workforce, with Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democratic appropriator in the Senate, stating that the administration’s tactics are ‘ugly intimidation’ and unlikely to succeed. As the shutdown continues, the political ramifications of Vought’s decisions remain a significant point of contention in both parties.