WASHINGTON — White House Budget Director Russell Vought faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers during a contentious House Budget Committee hearing Wednesday, while receiving staunch Republican support for the administration’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget priorities.
The hearing, which followed the Trump administration’s release of a budget blueprint calling for significant defense spending increases alongside domestic program reductions, quickly devolved into partisan sparring. Democrats accused the administration of favoring military spending over social programs, while Republicans praised the proposed fiscal discipline.
‘This budget continues the pattern of putting Pentagon wish lists ahead of American families,’ said Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-KY), citing proposed cuts to education and healthcare programs. Multiple analysts noted the budget would increase defense spending by 40% while reducing non-defense discretionary spending by 12%.
Vought countered that the proposals would ‘restore fiscal sanity’ after pandemic-era spending surges. ‘We’re making tough choices to put this nation on sustainable footing,’ he told lawmakers, drawing praise from ranking member Jason Smith (R-MO) who called the plan ‘a responsible path forward.’
The hearing comes as Congress faces looming deadlines to avoid government shutdowns, with observers noting the partisan divide suggests difficult negotiations ahead.