Federal Budget and Fiscal Policy

OMB Director Russell Vought appeared on Capitol Hill this week to defend President Trump’s fiscal 2027 budget request — a plan that seeks roughly $1.5 trillion for national defense — in hearings before the House Budget Committee on Wednesday and the Senate Budget Committee on Thursday. Democrats used the testimony to press him not only on the size and priorities of the request but also on what they describe as months of unanswered written questions on Iran war costs, health‑care plans, alleged impoundment of funds, nutrition aid during the last shutdown and planned federal layoffs. Ranking Democrat Brendan Boyle highlighted that Vought skipped a House appearance last year, says Vought offered “stone cold silence” on those issues, and has proposed legislation that would legally require Office of Management and Budget directors to testify and answer members’ questions.