July 18, 2025 — In a dramatic late-night session, the Home of Representatives handed a $9 billion rescissions package deal, clawing again beforehand authorised federal funding for overseas assist and public broadcasting, sending it to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. The vote, which concluded minutes after midnight on Friday, marked a uncommon use of the rescissions course of, not seen in over twenty years, and was hailed by Republican allies as a step towards fiscal duty.
The invoice, handed by a slim 216-213 margin within the Home, targets $8 billion in funding for the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) and $1.1 billion for the Company for Public Broadcasting, which helps NPR and PBS. Solely two Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio), voted towards the measure, becoming a member of Democrats who criticized the cuts as damaging to crucial overseas assist and public media.
The Senate had authorised the package deal earlier in a 51-48 vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have been the lone GOP dissenters, citing considerations over the dearth of transparency within the cuts and their influence on rural communities, notably public radio stations serving Native American populations. An modification to spare $400 million for PEPFAR, a program combating HIV/AIDS, was included to safe broader assist.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) referred to as the vote a “victory” for fiscal self-discipline, emphasizing that the cuts, although modest in comparison with the $36 trillion nationwide debt, sign a dedication to curbing wasteful spending. “This invoice is a part of persevering with that development of getting spending underneath management. Does it reply all the issues? No. $9 billion is an efficient begin,” stated Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise (R-La.).
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), decried the package deal as an assault on bipartisan spending agreements, warning it might complicate future funding negotiations forward of a September 30, 2025, authorities shutdown deadline. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) referred to as the cuts a “partisan” erosion of Congress’s constitutional energy over federal spending.
On X, reactions have been polarized. Supporters like @LadyConstance8 celebrated the cuts as a win for taxpayers, writing, “Extra wins for President Trump and the American folks, taxpayers particularly.” Others, like @holonabove, praised the transfer as a “uncommon win for fiscal sanity.” Nevertheless, critics expressed concern over the lack of funding for public media and overseas assist, with some noting the potential influence on rural and tribal communities.
The package deal, initially $9.4 billion, was trimmed barely within the Senate after considerations about PEPFAR cuts. Trump, who had pressured Republicans to cross the invoice, is predicted to signal it on Friday, assembly the 45-day deadline triggered by his administration’s request in early June.
Comply with the dialog on X for real-time reactions to this legislative transfer.