Trump's budget chief defends massive military spending plan

An effort to ramp up U.S. weapons production and build more ships, planes and drones will require a massive upfront investment, President Trump’s budget director told a House committee Wednesday.

- BY KEVIN FREKING

ANDREW HARNIK Getty Images BUDGET CHIEF Russell Vought didn't have answers to some questions asked by House Democrats.

The testimony from Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought jump-starts the White House’s push to increase defense spending to nearly $1.5 trillion in the next budget year, up from nearly $1 trillion this year, while cutting health research, heating assistance and scores of other domestic programs by about 10% overall. Such cuts do not cover mandatory spending, which includes such programs as Social Security and Medicare.

The debate over Trump’s proposal underscored the sharp divide that will shape some of the most significant policy debates going into a midterm election that will give voters the ultimate say on the direction of the country.

"For the industrial base to double or triple and build more facilities, not just add shifts, it requires multiyear agreements to purchase into the future," Vought told lawmakers. "That cost has to be booked in this first year.”