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President Donald Trump’s $9 billion rescissions package passed the U.S. Senate early Thursday morning. The measure now heads to the House of Representatives for final consideration.
What’s in the Bill?
The legislation includes significant cuts across several federal programs. Nearly $8 billion is slashed from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Another $1 billion comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds NPR and PBS.
These reductions target programs approved by previous Congresses. Supporters argue that the cuts are long overdue, especially given rising federal debt and inflation.
Republicans Push Fiscal Reform
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) praised the bill. He said it represents a shared commitment with President Trump to reduce wasteful spending. Thune credited the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created under Trump, for identifying the items targeted for cuts.
“This is about protecting taxpayer dollars,” Thune said. “It’s time we stopped spending on things that don’t serve Americans directly.”
Who Voted Against It?
Only two Republicans—Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins—joined all Senate Democrats in opposing the bill. The Senate passed the package without needing Vice President J.D. Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who had earlier opposed procedural motions, ultimately voted in favor of the final bill.
Foreign Aid Carveouts and Controversy
Before the vote, lawmakers negotiated a $400 million carveout. This preserved funding for the international HIV/AIDS program known as PEPFAR. The program began under President George W. Bush and enjoys bipartisan support.
Even with the carveout, Democrats strongly objected to many of the cuts. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) warned the bill could lead to more spending rollbacks throughout the year. She called it a slippery slope driven by conservative budget hawks.
Democrats Sound the Alarm
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) raised concerns over reduced funding for public broadcasting. She pointed out that local stations issue thousands of emergency alerts each year.
“Cutting this funding puts lives at risk,” Cantwell said. “These stations do more than entertainment. They serve communities.”
Republican Response: “About Time”
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) defended the bill, calling it a return to fiscal sanity. He cited taxpayer-funded projects like diversity programs in Burma and voter ID in Haiti.
“Democrats don’t support voter ID here, but they’re paying for it overseas,” Schmitt said. “It’s absurd.”
He called the measure a chance to reset priorities and end unnecessary spending.
Next Step: House Debate
The House is expected to vote on the Senate-passed version in the coming days. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other fiscal conservatives have warned against making changes.
The White House says more rescissions proposals are likely to follow. These will expand on the current cuts and continue Trump’s push to shrink the size of government.
