US Congress Approves $9 Bil in Trump Cuts to Foreign Aid, Public Media
Congress Approves Trump‑Led $9 B Rescission of Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting
On Friday, a Republican‑controlled House passed a bill that cancels $9 B previously approved for overseas assistance, public radio and television, and other domestic programs. The measure is part of a broader effort to sharpen federal spending and is framed as a fulfillment of President Donald Trump’s election pledge to stamp out “runaway” budget items.
Key Elements of the Rescission Package
- $1.1 B cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which would have financed over 1,500 local stations, as well as NPR and PBS.
- $1.1 B cancellation of aid earmarked for disease, war and disaster relief in the Global AIDS Initiative (originally $400 M); moderate Republicans fought back to preserve the program, which is credited with saving 26 M lives.
- Additional reductions to internal domestic policy programs that were already docketed for budget trimming.
Support and Opposition
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the vote as a “battling after the pledge to fiscal consistency.” Trump praised the House on Truth Social, declaring the action as a monumental step for the United States.
Democrats condemned the bill as a “betrayal of bipartisan funding.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said that the rescission “creates a path to a painful government shutdown.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the move a “dark day for public broadcasting users in disasters.” Republicans said that without a Democratic vote Congress cannot keep the government running past September.
Future Outlook
White House budget chief Russell Vought said the administration is likely to forward other rescission packages to Congress. The vote is viewed by congressional hawks as a launchpad for a series of “rescission” measures that could nullify agreed budget commitments and potentially force a shutdown later this year.
