Senate Passes $9B in Cuts to Public Media and Foreign Aid

GOP leaders push through rescissions package; public radio and global aid programs face uncertainty

Photo by Luis K on Unsplash

The Senate voted 51-48 early Thursday morning to approve a $9 billion rescissions package, slashing previously approved funding for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting.

The bill, backed by President Trump and Senate GOP leaders, now returns to the House ahead of a Friday deadline that could force the funds to be released if no deal is reached. (WSJ)

Public Broadcasting on the Chopping Block

The package would eliminate $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting - effectively defunding NPR and PBS for the next two years - and rescind $7.9 billion from foreign aid programs, including global health, disaster relief, and food assistance. (NPR)

An earlier proposal to cut funding for the U.S.-backed PEPFAR HIV/AIDS initiative was dropped after pushback from Republicans. (NPR)

Two Republicans Break Ranks

Democrats unanimously opposed the measure, joined by two Republicans: Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Susan Collins (ME). Murkowski criticized the cuts to public radio, citing Alaska’s tsunami warning this week, where evacuation alerts were broadcast through NPR-affiliated stations. (BBC)

Supporters called the bill a long-overdue step toward fiscal discipline. “It’s one-tenth of one percent of the federal budget,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, “but it’s a step in the right direction.” (WSJ)

Meanwhile, critics say the cuts could shutter local stations and weaken global aid infrastructure at a time of growing need.

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Inside the Broadcast Cuts: Earthquake Alerts, Murkowski’s Stand, and What Happens If the House Balks

🔐 Become a Pro Subscriber to unlock today’s Pro Brief and explore how Alaska’s recent tsunami scare highlighted the life-saving role of public media, what Lisa Murkowski said on the floor, and the risks the GOP faces if this bill collapses.