White House Budget Director Russell Vought faced intense scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers during a House Budget Committee hearing Wednesday over allegations of violating federal laws while managing the administration's budget. The contentious session focused on President Trump's 2027 budget proposal, which includes a nearly 50% increase in defense spending to $1.5 trillion and about 10% cuts to domestic programs.
Key Takeaways
White House budget director Russell Vought defended President Trump's 2027 budget proposal during a contentious House Budget Committee hearing. The plan calls for a nearly 50% increase in defense spending to $1.5 trillion while cutting domestic programs by about 10%. Democrats accused Vought of violating federal laws and withholding congressionally approved funds.
- Trump's 2027 budget proposes $1.5 trillion for defense, a near 50% increase
- Domestic programs face approximately 10% cuts to fund military expansion
- Democrats allege Vought violated Impoundment Control Act by withholding billions in grants
- Protesters disrupted hearing over delayed HIV/AIDS funding, leading to six arrests
Democrats accused Vought of overseeing illegal efforts to shut down federal agencies and withhold billions in congressionally approved funds. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) cited two Government Accountability Office reports showing nearly $15 billion in improperly withheld grants for National Institutes of Health programs, K-12 education, and Head Start initiatives. Vought dismissed these findings as 'typically wrong' and 'very partisan', despite the GAO's recognized independence.
Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) presented evidence that a federal judge ruled Vought unlawfully terminated $7.6 billion in clean energy grants based on political considerations, including whether recipients were from states that voted for Trump. Protesters, including former USAID and PEPFAR employees, disrupted the hearing to demand an end to what they called Vought's 'illegal obstruction' of global health funding. Six protesters were arrested.
Republicans attempted to refocus the discussion on budget priorities, praising Vought for cutting spending and highlighting defense increases. The proposed budget includes $1.1 trillion through regular appropriations and an additional $350 billion via a separate bill that Republicans can pass with majority votes. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) noted while there were improvements over last year's request, the proposal still had 'several shortcomings'.
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