Vought spars with Mark Pocan over claims children have died because of USAID cuts

Published June 30, 2026 1:31pm ET | Updated June 30, 2026 1:31pm ET



Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, sparred with Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) on Tuesday over accusations that children have died as a result of cuts to the United States Agency for International Development.

Vought was testifying before an oversight hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations when Pocan questioned him about the spending cuts, resulting in a tense exchange. USAID was essentially dismantled last year during the early part of President Donald Trump’s second term by the Department of Government Efficiency.

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