Democrats Question White House Budget Director Over Alleged Illegal Spending Cuts

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:24:00 +0200

White House budget director Russell Vought faced intense scrutiny from Democrats during a recent hearing, where he was accused of repeatedly violating the law through illegal withholding of congressionally approved funds. Democrats alleged that Vought has overstepped his authority and undermined the power of Congress through drafconian spending cuts, impacting global health programs and prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy. The hearing was marked by protests from former USAID and PEPFAR employees who decried the disruptions to critical health initiatives. Vought, known for his belief in expansive executive branch powers, largely remained unfazed by the criticisms, arguing that the administration is simply enforcing its agenda. However, budget experts noted that Vought appeared to struggle when pressed for specifics, suggesting a vulnerability in his defenses against the allegations. The hearing underscored a broader conflict between the executive and legislative branches over budgetar