Kaine grills Vought on planned 'woke and weaponized' budget cuts

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) grilled Russell Vought, President Trump’s nominee to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget, over a budget proposal created at the think tank where he worked, during Wednesday’s Senate Budget confirmation hearing.

“It was 104 pages of details to end 'woke and weaponized government,' and it proposes deep cuts to the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program),” Kaine stated.

“Is providing nutrition assistance to low-income kids 'woke and weaponized?'" he asked.

Vought, a Project 2025 co-author, deflected stating he was not there to answer questions on behalf of the conservative organization he founded in 2021, the Center for Renewing America.

Kaine continued pressing Vought on the proposed avenues to cut federal funding.

“You proposed deep cuts to Pell Grants. Is helping kids pay for college and helping their families, is that woke and weaponized?” Kaine said, as Vought declined to engage with the questions.

“I get it that you're not here to defend that work product, and I kind of understand why. You proposed deep cuts to Medicaid for millions of low-income families. Why is that woke and weaponized?” Kaine asked again, also asking about cuts to tenant-based rental assistance and low-income housing energy assistance programs.

Vought remained silent while the Virginia Senator continued his line of questioning.

The proposal in question, titled "Commitment to End Woke and Weaponized Government," rails against what Vought calls in the introduction of a cultural revolution, led by the left, that has taken over government institutions.

"In short, America cannot be saved unless the current grip of woke and weaponized
government is broken. That is the central and immediate threat facing the country—the
one that all our statesmen must rise tall to vanquish. The battle cannot wait," he writes.

"However, this woke and weaponized regime requires the resources of taxpayers to flourish and can be starved in order to dismantle it," the introduction continues.

Kaine characterized his goal as, “We want to traumatize federal employees, and then we want to take all these programs that help everyday people who are struggling and cut them because they're woke and weaponized. Those are your words, not mine."

Democrats also grilled Vought on President Trump’s executive orders directing the government pause the disbursement of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

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