DOGE Cuts: House approves Trump's request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — The House narrowly voted Thursday to cut approximately $9.4 billion in spending previously approved by Congress as President Donald Trump’s administration continues efforts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was led by Elon Musk.

The cuts target foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, alongside numerous public radio and television stations nationwide. The vote concluded with a tally of 214-212.

Republicans label the spending as excessive and redundant, whereas Democrats argue that these rescissions damage the United States’ international reputation and could result in avoidable fatalities.

“Cruelty is the point,” Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said of the proposed spending cuts.

The Trump administration is employing a tool rarely used in recent years that allows the president to transmit a request to Congress to cancel previously appropriated funds. That triggers a 45-day clock in which the funds are frozen pending congressional action. If Congress fails to act within that period, then the spending stands.

“This rescissions package sends $9.4 back to the U.S. Treasury,” said Rep. Lisa McClain, House Republican Conference chair. “That’s $9.4 billion of savings that taxpayers won’t see wasted. It’s their money.”

The benefit for the administration of a formal rescissions request is that passage requires only a simple majority in the 100-member Senate instead of the 60 votes usually required to get spending bills through that chamber. So, if they stay united, Republicans will be able to pass the measure without any Democratic votes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the Senate would likely not take the bill up until July and after it has dealt with Trump’s big tax and immigration bill. He also said it’s possible the Senate could tweak the bill.

The administration is likening the first rescissions package to a test case and says more could be on the way if Congress goes along.

Republicans, sensitive to concerns that Trump’s sweeping tax and immigration bill would increase future federal deficits, are anxious to demonstrate spending discipline, though the cuts in the package amount to just a sliver of the spending approved by Congress each year. They are betting the cuts prove popular with constituents who align with Trump’s “America first” ideology as well as those who view NPR and PBS as having a liberal bias.

In all, the package contains 21 proposed rescissions. Approval would claw back about $900 million from $10 billion that Congress has approved for global health programs. That includes canceling $500 million for activities related to infectious diseases and child and maternal health and another $400 million to address the global HIV epidemic.

The Trump administration is also looking to cancel $800 million, or a quarter of the amount Congress approved, for a program that provides emergency shelter, water and sanitation, and family reunification for those forced to flee their own country.

About 45% of the savings sought by the White House would come from two programs designed to boost the economies, democratic institutions and civil societies in developing countries.

Democratic leadership in urging their caucus to vote no said that package would eliminate access to clean water for more than 3.6 million people and lead to millions more not having access to a school.

“Those Democrats saying that these rescissions will harm people in other countries are missing the point,” McClain said. “It’s about people in our country being put first.”

The Republican president has also asked lawmakers to rescind nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it’s slated to receive during the next two budget years. About two-thirds of the money gets distributed to more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations. Nearly half of those stations serve rural areas of the country.

The association representing local public television stations warns that many of them would be forced to close if the Republican measure passes. Those stations provide emergency alerts, free educational programming and high school sports coverage and highlight hometown heroes.

Advocacy groups that serve the world’s poorest people are also sounding the alarm and urging lawmakers to vote no.

“We are already seeing women, children and families left without food, clean water and critical services after earlier aid cuts, and aid organizations can barely keep up with rising needs,” said Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America, a poverty-fighting organization.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said the foreign aid is a tool that prevents conflict and promotes stability but the measure before the House takes that tool away.

“These cuts will lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, devastating the most vulnerable in the world,” McGovern said.

“This bill is good for Russia and China and undertakers,” added Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn.

Republicans disparaged the foreign aid spending and sought to link it to programs they said DOGE had uncovered.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said taxpayer dollars had gone to such things as targeting climate change, promoting pottery classes and strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Other Republicans cited similar examples they said DOGE had revealed.

“Yet, my friends on the other side of the aisle would like you to believe, seriously, that if you don’t use your taxpayer dollars to fund this absurd list of projects and thousands of others I didn’t even list, that somehow people will die and our global standing in the world will crumble,” Roy said. “Well, let’s just reject this now.”

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Frat house where student was electrocuted in alleged hazing had laundry list of known red flags: report

Exposed: Dangerous Hazing Practices Unveiled in Frat House with Troubling Safety Violations

In a startling turn of events, a fraternity chapter at a New…
Asking Eric: After family death, bereaved kept the card but returned the cash

Bereaved Family Finds Solace: Returns Cash, Keeps Sentimental Card After Loved One’s Passing

Dear Eric, I recently faced an unexpected situation following the passing of…
Alaska Man Monday - Inappropriate Protests, a Dumb Crook, and Bad Arguments

Wild Encounters in Alaska: Meet the Man Who Befriends Squirrels, Turtles, and Ravens

Snow showers are in the forecast for this week, arriving a bit…
Hurricane Melissa now rare Category 5 storm as it closes in on historic, catastrophic landfall in Jamaica

Rare Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Approaches Jamaica with Potential for Historic Impact

On Monday, Hurricane Melissa surged to a formidable Category 5, inching closer…
FBI: Man Arrested After Offering to Pay $45K for Murder of Pam Bondi

Shocking FBI Bust: Man’s $45K Murder Plot Against Pam Bondi Exposed

A St. Paul, Minnesota man is facing charges after allegedly posting a…
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani rallies voters with support from Bernie Sanders and AOC

Zohran Mamdani Gains Momentum in New York Mayoral Race with Endorsements from Bernie Sanders and AOC

In the bustling heart of New York City, a political rally on…
TikTok deal could be finalized this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says

Treasury Secretary Announces Imminent Finalization of TikTok Deal: What to Expect This Week

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that a final agreement…
'We're working on staying': Jon Stewart discusses his future as host of 'The Daily Show'

Jon Stewart Opens Up About His Future Plans as ‘The Daily Show’ Host

Jon Stewart is reportedly negotiating to continue his role as the host…
Birmingham man arrested after Homewood police chase results in crash

High-Speed Drama in Birmingham: Police Chase Ends in Crash and Arrest in Homewood

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — The Homewood Police Department announced the apprehension of…
Indiana trans student admits to plotting Valentine’s Day school shooting, kept ‘shrine’ to mass killers

Indiana Trans Student Confesses to Planning Valentine’s Day School Attack, Maintained Shrine to Mass Shooters

A high school student in Indiana, who identifies as transgender, has entered…
Conservative Harvard students expose fear of academic reprisal, social shunning over right-wing beliefs

Harvard Conservatives Speak Out: Fear of Academic Reprisal and Social Isolation Over Political Views

Conservative influencer says America has a ‘huge issue’ Conservative commentator Jessica Tapia,…
Pittsburgh SWAT officers break silence in film, 7 years after Tree of Life Synagogue massacre

Unveiling the Untold: Pittsburgh SWAT Officers Share Powerful Stories 7 Years Post-Tree of Life Tragedy

Seven years after the most devastating antisemitic attack in U.S. history, a…