WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved legislation on Thursday cutting about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending requested by President Donald Trump, advancing a key White House effort to reduce funding for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting and sending the measure back to the House of Representatives for final action.
The Republican-led Senate passed the bill after making changes to the package previously approved by the House, requiring another House vote before it can be sent to Trump for his signature. The revised legislation trims roughly $9 billion from spending already authorized by Congress, down from the administration's original $9.4 billion request after funding tied to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was removed from the rescissions package.
The measure represents another legislative victory for Trump and congressional Republicans, who have argued that the rescissions package eliminates unnecessary government spending and demonstrates greater fiscal discipline. Senate Republican leaders described the bill as an initial step toward reducing federal expenditures through the rescission process, which allows presidents to ask Congress to cancel previously appropriated funds.
The legislation targets funding for foreign assistance programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides support to public television and radio stations across the United States. According to the revised bill, nearly $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting would be rescinded over the next two budget years.
Several Republican senators had raised concerns during debate over the proposed reductions, particularly to global health initiatives and public broadcasting. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins of Maine and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the measure after expressing reservations about its potential effects, while supporters said the revisions addressing PEPFAR funding helped secure sufficient Republican backing for passage.
Democrats opposed the legislation, arguing that the cuts would weaken U.S. international assistance efforts and reduce services provided by public media, particularly in rural communities. They also warned that approving the administration's rescission requests could shift greater influence over federal spending from Congress to the executive branch.
The House previously approved the administration's proposal, but because the Senate amended the legislation to preserve certain global health funding, the lower chamber must vote again before the measure can be sent to the White House. House Republican leaders have indicated they intend to consider the revised bill before the statutory deadline for congressional action on the rescission request expires.
