President Trump has unveiled a bold budget proposal that aims to cut $163 billion from non-defense discretionary spending for the 2026 fiscal year. This plan, often referred to as a "skinny budget," outlines what the White House hopes to see from Congress regarding government spending.
During a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought discussed the proposal, which represents a significant 22.6% reduction in projected spending for the current fiscal year. Notably, while many programs face cuts, there are substantial increases for defense and border security.
The proposed cuts target various sectors, with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation facing reductions of over 50%. Other areas affected include foreign aid and climate funding, along with programs that the Trump administration has labeled as promoting "wokeism." The budget also suggests eliminating several government agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Education funding is set to be reduced by 15%, although crucial programs like Head Start for early childhood education will remain funded. The Internal Revenue Service will see a cut of $2.5 billion.
This budget proposal follows the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, led by Elon Musk, which has already made significant cuts across various agencies. According to a senior White House official, the administration is closely aligned with DOGE in its approach to government spending.
While the president’s budget serves as a guideline for Congress, it is not legally binding. Congress holds the power to decide on the actual budget. Experts suggest that many of these proposed cuts are unlikely to pass through Congress. Jessica Riedl, a budget expert, noted that while the proposal may not be fully realized, it could indicate the direction DOGE will take in the future.
Despite the challenges, Trump maintains a strong influence over the Republican Party, and many GOP members have not openly opposed DOGE’s spending changes. The White House has also hinted at the possibility of using impoundment, a controversial practice that allows the president to refuse to spend funds approved by Congress, arguing that a 1974 law requiring such spending is unconstitutional.
As the budget process unfolds, it remains to be seen how Congress will respond to these proposals and what impact they will have on government spending moving forward.