US Senate Approves $9B Cuts to Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting

 

The US Senate has approved a bill to slash $9 billion in federal spending, including major reductions in foreign aid and funding for public broadcasting. Passed by a narrow 51-48 vote, the measure is part of President Donald Trump’s broader goal to reduce federal expenditures. The bill is a “rescissions package,” which lets Congress reverse funds that were already approved.

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This vote followed an intense overnight session known as a “vote-a-rama,” where lawmakers negotiated several amendments. One major point of contention was a proposed $400 million cut to Pepfar the US-funded global HIV/AIDS program. That funding was ultimately preserved after bipartisan pressure, but most other proposed amendments to protect aid and broadcasting budgets were rejected.

The Senate version still includes about $8 billion in cuts to international health and development programs run by USAID. An additional $1 billion will be cut from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a move that will disproportionately affect rural radio stations across the US. Only two Republicans including Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the bill due to concerns about these cuts.

The Senate bill now heads back to the House of Representatives, which had previously passed a version with slightly higher total cuts $9.4 billion. However, with the Senate’s decision to preserve Pepfar funding and reduce the total amount cut by $400 million, some friction has emerged. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment, saying he had hoped the Senate would pass the bill unchanged.

To become law, both chambers must pass the same version of the bill before the deadline on Friday. If that doesn’t happen, Republicans will miss their opportunity to finalize the rescissions package. The uncertainty in the House has left the bill’s fate unclear, especially given the last-minute changes made in the Senate.

For now, what is certain is that the bill represents a significant rollback in US foreign assistance and public broadcasting support. While supporters argue it’s a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility, critics warn that the cuts could harm global health efforts and limit access to essential media in rural communities.

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