Vought's testimony marked the beginning of the White House's push to increase military spending in the next budget year to nearly $1.5 billion, up from about $1 billion this year, while simultaneously cutting funding for health research, heating assistance, and dozens of other domestic programs by about 10 percent overall. Such cuts do not include mandatory spending, which includes programs like Social Security and Medicare.

The debate over Trump's proposal laid bare deep divisions that will shape some of the most significant political battles ahead of the midterm elections, where voters will ultimately decide the direction of the country.

"For the industrial base to double or triple capacity and build more plants, not just add extra shifts, multi-year contracts for future purchases are needed," Vought told lawmakers. "Those costs must be recorded in the very first year."

The White House is seeking about $1.1 billion for defense through the regular budget appropriation process, which typically requires bipartisan support for approval. An additional $350 billion would come through a special law that Republicans could pass on their own, with a simple majority of their party.

Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the top-ranking opposition member on the committee, said he believes in a strong national defense. However, he emphasized that the idea of increasing the military budget by more than 40 percent while cutting programs people need shows that the Republican administration's priorities are "completely messed up."

Committee Chairman, Republican Congressman Jodey Arrington, announced that the hearing would be "more heated" than usual, which indeed came to pass, starting with his opening statement sharply criticizing Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. Arrington, R-Texas, said he doesn't know of any president in his lifetime who "inherited such complete and total chaos as Trump did in January of last year."

Since then, Arrington claimed, Trump has secured the border, cut taxes, and restrained spending on non-defense programs.

This opened a series of sharp exchanges during the hearing.

"You know how bad this economy is when we hear Joe Biden, transgender people being brought up... I was waiting for Jimmy Carter to be blamed for everything," Boyle retorted to Arrington's opening remarks.

Boyle said that under Trump, consumer confidence is falling and cited an example of a gas station he recently passed in Philadelphia, where a liter of fuel cost $4.11, compared to less than $3 six weeks ago, which he said is a result of Trump's "war of choice in Iran."

Congresswoman Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, described the proposed increase in military spending as shocking.

"Never in this country's history have we seen spending like this, funded by cuts to healthcare, education, and housing," Balint said. "Mr. Vought, yes or no, does $350 billion for war in Iran reduce costs for Americans?"

"It certainly does not defund childcare. In this budget, we fully fund childcare," Vought replied, not giving a direct answer to the question.

In further questioning, Balint also brought up Trump's mantra "America First."

She noted that $350 billion could fund an enhanced health insurance tax credit over ten years and added that her constituents ask how the country can continue to allocate money for wars but not find a solution to help people afford healthcare.

Vought responded that the president has made it clear he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, missiles, and a navy that would threaten U.S. national security.

"He is doing what is necessary to protect us, while also trying to conduct diplomacy to get out of wars and reduce those costs over time," Vought said.

Vought said it is still unclear how much the administration will seek to fund the war during the current budget year, which ends on September 30. That money would be part of an emergency, supplemental spending package and would come on top of the funds the White House is seeking to increase military spending next year.

"Will it be more than $50 billion?" asked Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas.

"We're still working on that," Vought replied. "I don't even have a rough estimate."