OMB Nominee Shaun Donovan Appears Before Senate Committees

Recently, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan testified at two confirmation hearings held by the two Senate committees with jurisdiction over his nomination as the next Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director. Donovan was nominated by President Obama on May 22.

In his remarks before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Donovan said that a priority of his would be to restore regular order to OMB and the release of the president's annual budget. The president's budget is required by law to be submitted to Congress by the first Monday in February, but OMB has missed that deadline for the past two years. Donovan stated that Congress passing FY 2015 appropriations bills without the use of continuing resolutions would help OMB release the FY 2016 budget on time. Donovan also said that, if confirmed, he would focus on OMB's critical management and regulatory responsibilities.

Both committees are expected to vote on Donovan's nomination soon. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro is President Obama's nominee to replace Donovan as the Secretary of HUD.