South Carolina congressman is Trump's pick for OMB director

South Carolina Republican Mick Mulvaney will lead the Office of Management and Budget in the coming Trump administration.

Mulvaney, a three-term congressman who was re-elected to his seat in the 2016 elections, is a fiscal hawk who takes an interest in government oversight and technology issues. He serves on the Government Operations subcommittee of the House Government Oversight and Reform Committee and was a founder of the bipartisan Blockchain Caucus, along with Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) He's also a founder member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which has historically pressed more mainstream House Republican leaders for sharp cuts in federal spending.

Trump described Mulvaney as, "a very high-energy leader with deep convictions for how to responsibly manage our nation’s finances and save our country from drowning in red ink," in a statement released Dec. 17.

"With Mick at the head of OMB, my administration is going to make smart choices about America's budget, bring new accountability to our federal government, and renew the American taxpayer's trust in how their money is spent," Trump said.

At OMB, Mulvaney would have oversight of federal IT policy, procurement policy and overall management initiatives, as well as the critical process of drafting the administration's budget submissions. The OMB director post requires Senate confirmation.

"The Trump administration will restore budgetary and fiscal sanity back in Washington after eight years of an out-of-control, tax and spend financial agenda, and will work with Congress to create policies that will be friendly to American workers and businesses," Mulvaney said in a statement released by the Trump transition team.

Robert Shea, a former associate director for management at OMB who is now with Grant Thornton, told FCW, "Congressman Mulvaney is a terrific choice for OMB Director. His reputation as a deficit hawk will serve the nation well, as fiscal discipline is needed now more than ever."

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) had a similar reaction, posting on Twitter that Mulvaney "would be a great choice for OMB Director."

The OMB post has held interest for Mulvaney. "I would love to be the director of OMB," he wrote in a Facebook question-and-answer session, according to a report on the nomination in the Post and Courier. "That is where I think REAL improvements could be made in how the government is run."

This article was updated Dec. 17.