Overview
- Vought, testifying to the House Budget Committee Wednesday, said the administration is not ready to send an Iran supplemental and offered “no ballpark” for war costs.
- The FY2027 plan seeks about $1.5 trillion for defense, with roughly $1.1 trillion through regular spending bills and $350 billion via a reconciliation bill, while cutting non-defense programs by about 10% including NIH, WIC and home energy aid.
- The Pentagon has sent OMB a roughly $200 billion Iran-war request that leaders say could change, yet Vought told House and Senate panels he would not provide even a range such as above $50 billion.
- Lawmakers in both parties questioned boosting a department that has never passed a full audit, and Democrats criticized months of unanswered oversight letters and missing written responses.
- Next steps include Secretary Pete Hegseth’s meetings with key defense and appropriations leaders next week, the start of appropriations work, and fuller budget details expected April 21.