US Senate to vote on Trump funding cuts as deadline looms

 

The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to cut $9.4 billion in already-approved government spending. The package, known as a “rescissions” request, would claw back $8.3 billion from foreign aid and $1.1 billion from public broadcasting. Although the sum is relatively minor compared to the overall federal budget of $6.8 trillion, the move has sparked major backlash from Democrats and even some Republicans. The Senate must act by Friday or the proposal expires. Senator John Thune, Republican Majority Leader, said procedural votes could begin as early as Tuesday, but admitted he was uncertain about having the votes to pass the measure without changes. The cuts have particularly drawn criticism for targeting programs like global HIV/AIDS efforts, women and children’s health, and rural broadcasting services initiatives with longstanding bipartisan support. Democrats accuse Trump of trying to undermine Congress’s constitutional authority over federal spending. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the proposal “horrible cuts that hurt the American people.” Trump, meanwhile, has threatened to withhold endorsements from any lawmakers who do not back the plan in full. This isn't the first time Trump has attempted a large rescission; his 2018 request to cancel $15 billion in spending failed. While the House narrowly passed this new request 214-212, with four Republicans joining Democrats in opposition, the Senate could be a tougher battleground as several GOP senators have already expressed discomfort.

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As the Senate prepares to vote on Trump's proposed $9.4 billion spending cuts, internal Republican divisions are growing. Some senators are uncomfortable with key elements of the rescissions package, particularly the targeting of global health programs and rural communications. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, publicly opposed cuts to PEPFAR an internationally respected program to combat HIV/AIDS. Trump aims to strip $9 million from PEPFAR and $300 million overall from global anti-HIV efforts. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has also raised concerns over cuts to public broadcasting, which is essential in providing emergency communication in rural areas. She criticized the timing of the proposal, stating that it complicates bipartisan negotiations over broader funding bills needed by September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. Democrats argue that by trying to reverse agreed-upon bipartisan spending deals, Trump is jeopardizing future cooperation. Senator Patty Murray, the lead Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, warned that this could “shred” any goodwill needed to craft a bipartisan budget later this year. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson supported Trump’s full request, saying the White House's decisions on spending should be respected. However, with only a slim majority, Republicans face pressure to maintain unity, especially in the Senate where the rescissions package only needs a simple majority of 51 votes to pass unlike regular appropriations bills, which require 60 votes. This vote marks a critical test of Trump’s influence over congressional Republicans. It will also shape the political landscape as the government races toward the September funding deadline. The outcome could determine not only the fate of critical aid and broadcasting programs but also the broader balance of power between Congress and the White House.

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