Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana is notorious for his sharp wit and his ability to blend humor with serious critique. During a recent confirmation hearing for Russell Vought, nominated for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Kennedy did not disappoint. His questioning brought to light the alarming spending increases under the Biden administration while serving up a line that left the chamber in laughter and fact-checkers scrambling.
Kennedy began by addressing the shocking rise in federal spending. “I used to read your suggestions during President Trump’s first term, many of which Congress ignored. We shouldn’t have,” he explained, underscoring his belief that Vought’s guidance could have been invaluable had it been heeded earlier. “I am delighted that the President picked you,” he added, commending Trump’s choice of a nominee. Kennedy pointed out the drastic spending increase, noting, “Since 2019, the population of America has increased 2%, and our spending has increased 55% under President Biden,” a statistic that paints a concerning picture of fiscal irresponsibility.
Kennedy further highlighted the colossal fraud within government stimulus programs, illustrating this with an unsettling revelation about funds delivered to deceased individuals. He noted, “I hope you’ll start with the low-hanging fruit. There’s a lot,” before detailing the unbelievable statistic: “When we sent out stimulus checks to save our economy, $1.6 billion went to dead people, and the checks were cashed, obviously a fraud.” To underscore the continuous error, Kennedy disclosed, “OMB has estimated that in fiscal year 2023, we sent out $1.3 billion of checks to dead people. Which were cashed, obviously fraud.”
Explaining the administrative process, Kennedy said, “When you die in America, your name is sent to the Social Security Administration, and you become part of the master file,” which is intended to prevent errors like this. Despite legislative efforts led by Kennedy and others to improve this system, reforms have faced “pushback,” resulting in a trial period that extends until 2026. Kennedy asked Vought if he would advocate for making these improvements permanent, to which Vought replied affirmatively, “Yes, Senator.”
In a moment of levity that captured the headlines, Kennedy drew a parallel between the challenges Vought would face in Washington and the biblical trials of Noah. “You’re going to be called crazy. They also called Noah crazy. Then the rains came, and all the fact-checkers died,” Kennedy quipped, leaving the room in stitches. This clever remark not only entertained but also subtly critiqued those who doubted Vought’s potential efficacy and the administration’s handling of fiscal policy.
SEN. JOHN KENNEDY: "You're going to be challenging the status quo. You're going to be called crazy. Many people also called Noah crazy. And then the rains came, and all the fact checkers died." pic.twitter.com/vPWwGTUJK0
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 22, 2025
Through his advocacy, Kennedy supports the kind of financial accountability that the Trump administration prioritized, and he isn’t afraid to call out what he sees as liberal missteps under President Biden. Unafraid of the liberal media’s critique, he stands firmly aligned with conservative values and fiscal responsibility.
I love John Kennedy. Makes me proud as a Louisianian.