Hal Duncan

President Donald Trump’s nominee for the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, Hal Duncan, received initial committee approval from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Duncan, who has served in an acting capacity since last year, has expressed support for using fiscal tools like pocket rescissions and finalizing a plan to involve political appointees in federal grant decisions, drawing bipartisan concerns.

Hal Duncan, Trump's nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, proposed new grant rules to prevent federal funds from supporting 'divisive ideologies.' The plan would give political appointees authority to approve or block grants to various groups, with the administration aiming to finalize the changes by summer. Democrats criticized the proposal, warning it could be used to favor groups aligned with Trump while punishing others.

Cameron Hamilton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead FEMA, pledged to assess disaster aid requests fairly and reasonably during Senate hearings. His nomination follows a period of uncertainty for the agency, which Trump previously threatened to dismantle. Hamilton previously served as FEMA’s temporary head until being fired after defending the agency’s existence.

Hal Duncan, President Trump’s nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, stated he cannot guarantee the administration will not use 'pocket rescissions' to unilaterally cancel funding without Congressional approval this year. Duncan defended the practice during Senate testimony, noting prior administrations have used it, while the Trump administration previously canceled $4.9 billion in foreign aid through this method, a tactic the Supreme Court allowed last fall but whose legality remains unresolved.