Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) questioned Project 2025 architect Russell Vought over stunning claims he made during a House Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump's budget chief was testifying before Congress when he was questioned about the potential loss of healthcare anticipated for 15 million Americans under the Big Beautiful Bill and Trump's fiscal 2027 White House budget request. Boyle described how the legislation has added to the country's deficit and debt — an estimated $4 trillion — more than any other piece of legislation passed by Congress in American history.
"In addition to the over $4 trillion it adds to our national debt, it eliminates healthcare coverage for more than 15 million Americans, according to the CBO. The Kaiser Family Foundation says it's actually more than 17 million Americans will lose their healthcare," Boyle said. "Are they really all, according to you, really, you're going to sit here with a straight face and say they're all illegals, they're all defrauding the system. That's really your position?"
Vought responded, saying "yes."
"That's laughable!" Boyle said, shocked by Vought.
Boyle pushed back on Vought's comments after the budget chief tried to argue that healthcare fraud was a rampant problem across the U.S.
"The idea that all those people who are about to lose their healthcare are defrauding the system or are illegal immigrants, that is not supported by any facts whatsoever," Boyle said.
BOYLE: The CBO says the big beautiful bill eliminates healthcare coverage for more than 15 million Americans. Are they really all, according to you, illegals and defrauding the system. That's really your position?
RUSS VOUGHT: Yes
BOYLE: That's laughable! pic.twitter.com/Ym9W1bJ6ba
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2026