In-Town Pool Note #1: Vought Gaggle

Office of Management and Budget director Russ Vought gaggled with reporters in the White House driveway this morning.

"FEMA has $13 billion in its reserves right now to continue to pay for the necessary expenses," Vought said of that agency before adding that "the president has said to Texas, anything it needs it will get." He continued that, at the same time, "we also want FEMA to be reformed. We want FEMA to work well...the President is going to continue to be asking tough questions of all of his agencies."

Vought also discussed the planned renovations for FED headquarters, blasting their largess as on par with "the Palace of Versailles."

"This is approaching that level," he said adding that, in terms of spending, "it probably would qualify as one of the eighth wonders of the ancient world if you were able to go back that far."

Of the recissions package on Capitol Hill, Vought said, "I am confident that they will pass the bill." He called it a potentially "huge pivot point in how this town does business" and "will be an exciting milestone" in making permanent cost reductions.

As Vought gaggled with reporters a family of ducks made its way across the White House lawn, through the driveway, and onto pebble beach.

Best,

Philip Wegmann

White House Reporter

RealClearPolitics

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