Mark Pocan

Pocan began by asking Vought whether he agreed with the “multiple studies” that people across the world have died as a result of cuts to federal aid programs such as USAID.

“I do not concur with the validity of those studies,” the OMB director responded.

After talking over one another, Pocan added, “It’s a yes or no. It’s really simple. Do you think people died or not?”

“Our cuts are aimed at—” Vought said before being cut off.

“Alright, you’re not going to answer it,” Pocan said. “I reclaim my time. I thought you were going to be a little more helpful, Director Vought, but that’s fine.”

Pocan said that studies have shown that hundreds of thousands of people, up to millions of people, will die because of the cuts. Pocan then read the names of two children in Africa whom he alleged have died as a result of the funding cuts.

“Are you familiar with any of these stories? I just gave you two examples. Are you familiar?” Pocan said, raising his voice. “It’s a yes or no. Don’t dance. You’re not a tap dancer.”

Pocan later quoted the Bible and asserted that Vought is a “Christian nationalist,” and Vought called the framing and characterization “slander.”

“Would you agree that it is wrong morally, ethically, or by your own admission, biblical standards, is it wrong to facilitate the death of children?” Pocan asked.

Later in the hearing, the matter was brought up again by Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), who took a swing at the Biden administration’s immigration policies.

“You know that was much to do in this committee asking the question whether it’s morally right or not to facilitate the death of children,” Cloud said. “I find this rich coming from people who supported an administration that forced taxpayers to fund for the largest human trafficking operation in human history.”

Cloud claimed that other data show “remarkably” that mortality rates in South Africa have decreased following the USAID cuts. He asked Vought whether it’s possible that, in some cases, lives are being saved by spending less money.

“I do, and I would also say that this administration, the State Department, is working with these countries to have these agreements that ensure that the money is being really well spent and goes to better care directly to people in need, and not necessarily through NGOs that don’t share something other than a divisive worldview,” Vought said.

Later in the hearing, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) said that he took the line of questioning by Pocan “somewhat personal and offensive.”

“I think it’s misleading to suggest that a U.S. policy change can be judged by isolated claims while ignoring the millions of lives that American taxpayers have saved through decades of humanitarian aid,” he said.

MUSK VOWS TO SUE RO KHANNA OVER CLAIM USAID CUTS HARMED 4.5 MILLION CHILDREN

The line of questioning during Vought’s hearing comes after Elon Musk, who helped form and lead DOGE, vowed to sue Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) over claims that the USAID cuts could result in the deaths of 4.5 million children.