Trump’s 2026 budget proposal calls for $163B in cuts to federal spending

The White House recently unveiled President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, outlining significant cuts of $163 billion in federal spending. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought emphasized that these cuts to discretionary funding would result in substantial savings.

In a letter to Congress accompanying the budget proposal, Vought highlighted that the President’s plan includes a 22.6% reduction in base non-defense discretionary budget authority compared to current-year spending. Despite these cuts, essential areas such as homeland security, veterans’ services, senior programs, law enforcement, and infrastructure would still receive adequate funding.

While budget proposals serve as a wishlist for the administration, they also offer insights into the President’s priorities and set the stage for negotiations with Congress. The proposed cuts primarily target departments like Education, Health and Human Services, USAID, and the Environmental Protection Agency. However, Trump is proposing a 13% increase in defense spending, reaching $1.01 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year.

Additionally, the administration is seeking $175 billion to address issues at the southern border. Senator Patty Murray, the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, raised concerns about the budget proposal, warning that it could severely impact programs that many Americans rely on. Murray criticized Trump’s focus on defunding programs that support working-class citizens while providing tax breaks for the wealthy.

“This preliminary budget proposal lacks crucial details, but one thing is clear: Trump’s plan aims to dismantle vital programs for working families,” Murray stated.

As this story continues to develop, stay tuned for updates on the progress of Trump’s budget proposal. ABC News’ Allison Pecorin has contributed to this report.