The Republican-led U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee Russell Vought as budget director on Thursday, placing the reins of government funding in the hands of hardline conservative who has advocated for reducing Congress's power over taxpayer dollars.

Democrats see Vought as the embodiment of a Trump agenda that they want to build their opposition message around — from his long-standing ties to Project 2025 to his support for slashing spending programs that benefit the middle class to his election denial.