Joyce Remarks at Budget Hearing on the Office of Management and Budget

I would like to thank Director Vought for being here today. The Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, plays a central role in most of the decisions made in the Executive Branch, particularly as it relates to the federal budget. 

It’s also important to remember that OMB is an office created by Congress. In 1921, the Congress passed the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, which created the Bureau of the Budget under the Department of the Treasury. Later in 1939, in the Reorganization Act of 1939, the Bureau was relocated to the newly created Executive Office of the President. And, in 1970, Congress approved the Bureau’s renaming to the Office of Management and Budget.

I mention this history because OMB plays a unique role both as an office created by Congress and as one that has been, and continues to be, responsible for fulfilling the President’s policies. In fact, over the last one hundred plus days, OMB has played a central role not just in the reconciliation negotiations or recent budget submission, but in the reshaping of the federal government. 

As of May 27th, 157 executive orders, 39 memoranda, and 62 proclamations had been signed by the President. OMB plays a critical role in each one of these decisions. But as appropriators of the federal government, we need to work with OMB to ensure that funds are being used as Congress intended. 

This is why the President’s budget is so important. This is a guide to helping Congress understand agency priorities and how the legislative and executive branch can work together to deploy the resources necessary to execute those priorities.

Last Friday, federal agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, sent up their budget requests for Fiscal Year 2026. And just yesterday, OMB transmitted the President’s first rescissions package of $9.4 billion to Congress for consideration. OMB is requesting $146.1 million for the next fiscal year; a 13.3 percent increase above its FY 2025 enacted level. 

I look forward to discussing OMB’s FY 2026 request with Director Vought and how we can work together to ensure agencies have the resources they need to work on the priorities for our constituents and the public writ large. I now recognize the Ranking Member for his opening statement.