Democrats fume at White House budget request: ‘Bleak and unacceptable’

Democrats on Friday blasted the White House’s fiscal 2027 budget request, warning that it fails to address the needs of Americans and undermines critical domestic programs and priorities.

The request, prepared by White House budget chief Russell Vought and unveiled Friday morning, calls for $1.5 trillion in defense spending, a roughly 42 percent increase from 2026 funding levels, that would replenish critical munitions and expand the defense industrial base, among other things. It comes as the U.S. war with Iran stretches to five weeks with no clear end in sight.

At the same time, it proposes cutting nondefense spending by $73 billion by eliminating what the White House deems “woke, weaponized, and wasteful programs” and “returning State and local responsibilities to their respective governments.”

Top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations and Budget committees quickly railed against the proposal.

“The vision President Trump has outlined for America in his budget is bleak and unacceptable. President Trump wants to slash medical........

© The Hill