Mitch McConnell Calls Trump Administration ‘Unnecessarily Chaotic’

Senate lawmakers from both parties clashed with Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, on Wednesday over the Trump administration’s proposal to cancel billions in federal spending, raising sharp concerns about cuts to foreign aid, public media, and global health programs.

During a contentious hearing, Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky criticized the administration’s cost-cutting approach as “unnecessarily chaotic,” warning it could create openings for adversaries like China.

McConnell said in part, “There’s plenty of nonsense masquerading as American aid that shouldn’t receive another bit of taxpayer funding. But the administration’s attempt to root it out has been unnecessarily chaotic. In critical corners of the globe, instead of creating efficiencies, you have created vacuums for adversaries like China to fill.”

The hearing marked the Senate‘s review of a $9.4 billion rescissions package already approved by the House, with a July 18 deadline looming for action. If the Senate declines to act, the administration must release the funds—but bipartisan resistance suggests the plan could face major hurdles.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.