US EditionTop Democrats in Congress decry White House ‘lack of transparency’ in spending plans
- Top Senate Democrats led by Richard Blumenthal criticized the Trump administration for lacking transparency in federal spending plans, including VA and HHS, as of May 2025.
- The criticism followed incomplete disclosures from agencies like VA and HHS, with Republicans not opposing the lack of information, causing legislative impasse.
- Key concerns include plans to cut about 80,000 VA staff, elimination of multiple HHS programs, and masking over 500 funding items with asterisks, obstructing oversight.
- Blumenthal said, "We need to see actual funding amounts—not asterisks—for these vital programs" and pledged Democrats will keep blocking nominees until transparency improves.
- This lack of transparency hinders Congress's ability to monitor spending and implies a growing executive trend to bypass legislative control over budgets.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Results of the first review initiates battle over budget rules
During the confirmation hearings of the Office of Management and Budget director and deputy director for budget earlier this year, lawmakers pressed Russ Vought and Dan Bishop about whether they would comply with the Impoundment Control Act. The budget rules of the road require Congressional approval if OMB decides not to spend money appropriated in law. While both Vought and Bishop promised to comply with the law, a new decision by the Governme…
Military Times
Top lawmaker says VA, DOD leaders continue to ignore Hill requests
Sen. Richard Blumenthal believes his relationship with Pentagon and Veterans Affairs leaders has never been as adversarial as it is right now. “I’ve been in the United States Senate for almost 15 years, and throughout most of my career … my requests for information were answered, and the departments have been responsive,” the Connecticut Democrat said during a recent interview with Military Times. “They know our responsibility is to do oversight…
Incompetent Agency Heads Haven't Done Their Budget Homework
Top Trump administration officials have spoken at length about alleged irresponsible government use of taxpayer dollars and a lack of transparency at federal agencies, with President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, focusing heavily during their first months in the White House on promoting what they claimed was "government efficiency." But in a letter to the head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Trump appointee Russ…
'530 asterisks': Trump accused of deliberately hiding how he's spending taxpayer dollars
Top Trump administration officials have spoken at length about alleged irresponsible government use of taxpayer dollars and a lack of transparency at federal agencies, with President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, focusing heavily during their first months in the White House on promoting what they claimed was "government efficiency."But in a letter to the head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Trump appointee Russe…
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