The Senate has approved a $9 billion rescissions package, including cuts to global aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, advancing President Trump’s agenda to reduce federal spending.
This decision, reflected in a 51-48 vote, marks a victory for Trump’s efforts to decrease the size of the federal government and address mounting debt concerns.
The big picture: The bill targets various international programs, including development assistance, economic support funds, and global health initiatives, with the goal of reducing federal spending by one-tenth of 1 percent.
- Despite its modest impact on the overall federal budget, Senate Majority Leader John Thune views the passage of this bill as a crucial step towards achieving fiscal discipline in government spending.
- The approval comes after a similar $15 billion rescissions package was unsuccessful during Trump’s first term, showcasing the current Senate’s more favorable stance towards the president’s agenda.
Go deeper: The bill faced opposition from some Republican senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, who raised concerns about the lack of detailed plans regarding the implementation of the funding cuts.
- The removal of $400 million in cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from the package was a key amendment agreed upon after bipartisan negotiations, highlighting the importance of bipartisan collaboration on certain critical issues.
- Republicans celebrated the inclusion of cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the bill, a long-pending proposal from President Trump’s first term that finally saw success in this legislative session.
