Senate Passes $9B Cuts to PBS, NPR, and Foreign Aid

Admin
Jul 17
3 min read

In a landmark decision that could reshape U.S. funding priorities, the U.S. Senate has narrowly passed a controversial $9 billion rescission bill championed by President Donald Trump. The package, approved by a 51–48 vote, includes sweeping cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting, and non-defense discretionary spending, setting the stage for a fierce political battle as it moves to the House.

What Was Passed?

The bill cancels:

$8 billion in foreign aid, affecting global health, humanitarian relief, and development programs.
$1.1 billion in public broadcasting funds, including support for PBS, NPR, and community-based media outlets.
Several other federal outlays considered “wasteful” by supporters of the bill.

It marks one of the most significant uses of the Impoundment Control Act since 1981 and represents a bold fiscal maneuver by Trump allies in the Senate.

🇺🇸 Political Fallout: Partisan Lines Drawn

Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, argue the bill is a victory for fiscal conservatism and taxpayers.

“Americans are tired of sending billions abroad while vital domestic priorities remain underfunded,” said Sen. Thune. “This is a reset toward responsible government.”

However, all Democrats and two moderate Republicans Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against the measure. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “dangerous abuse” of presidential rescission power, warning it undermines Congress’s constitutional control over federal spending.

“This vote threatens not only foreign diplomacy and domestic journalism, but the integrity of our entire budget process,” Schumer said.

What’s at Stake?

1. Public Broadcasting in Crisis

The cut to PBS and NPR funding could devastate hundreds of local stations, particularly in rural and underserved communities. These outlets often provide:

Educational children’s programming
Emergency alert systems
Civic journalism and local news

Rural broadcasters warn they may need to shut down or scale back vital services. Advocates argue this weakens democracy by silencing non-profit media voices.

2. Foreign Aid Cuts Could Ripple Globally

Funds slashed from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and State Department programs threaten:

Ongoing global health campaigns, including vaccination and HIV/AIDS treatment
Humanitarian responses to conflict and famine
U.S. soft power in strategic regions

Though $400 million for PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) was restored after backlash, most other programs remain in limbo.

Why This Matters

Area	Impact
Public Media	Potential shutdowns of NPR and PBS affiliates in rural areas
Global Health	Disruption of vaccine, AIDS, and food aid programs
Budget Precedent	Normalizes use of rescission to override Congressional appropriations
Bipartisan Relations	Increases risk of future government shutdowns due to eroded trust

What Happens Next?

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it must pass by July 18 to be enacted under the Impoundment Control Act. With a slim Republican majority and growing intra-party divisions, the vote is expected to be close.

Expert Reactions

Brookings Institution: “This is a fiscal Trojan horse. It cloaks a political agenda in budget reform.”
Heritage Foundation: “Long overdue. America must stop funding failing institutions and focus on domestic prosperity.”
National Public Radio (NPR): “This is an existential threat to public media independence.”

A Turning Point in U.S. Budget Politics?

If enacted, this would mark a strategic victory for Trump-era conservatives seeking to reshape the federal budget by cutting what they view as “non-essential globalism” and left-leaning media support.

But critics warn the long-term cost could be weakened global leadership, fragmented communities, and a broken bipartisan process heading into another critical budget cycle this fall.