Republican-controlled Senate approves cancellation of $9 billion in foreign aid funding, as reported by NPR and PBS.
In a divisive move, a Republican-led spending cuts package has been passed by the Senate, aiming to recoup approximately $9 billion in previously appropriated federal spending, primarily targeting foreign aid programs and public media funding[1][2][3]. The bill, which passed the House in a tight, mostly party-line vote (216–213), was later amended in the Senate, with the removal of a $400 million cut to the global HIV/AIDS program PEPFAR being one of the key modifications[3].
The package, which cancels funding for foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports NPR and PBS, is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, marking a rare legislative victory for Republicans in their efforts to reduce discretionary spending on these programs after decades of unsuccessful attempts[1].
Key cuts in the package include:
- **Foreign Aid:** Roughly $8 billion in cuts, including $800 million for emergency shelter, water, and family reunification for refugees; $496 million for food, water, and health care in countries affected by natural disasters or conflicts; and $4.15 billion for programs supporting economic development and democratic institutions in developing nations[2]. - **Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB):** Approximately $1 billion in funding cuts for CPB could lead to significant reductions in local public radio and television programming, especially in rural and underserved areas that rely heavily on federal support[1][2]. - **PEPFAR:** A proposed $400 million cut to this AIDS relief program was ultimately dropped from the final bill due to bipartisan concerns[2][3].
The move has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle. Republican senators, including Thom Tillis and Roger Wicker, have expressed concerns about the measure and its potential second- and third-order effects, citing a lack of transparency about which specific programs would be affected[4]. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats unanimously voted to reject the package, arguing that the reductions would harm America’s global standing and create vacuums that adversaries like China could exploit[2].
Wicker, a supporter of the measure, has expressed reservations about deferring to the executive branch and conceding the decision of specific cuts to the Office of Management and Budget in the White House[5]. He has also emphasised the constitutional responsibilities of the legislative branch under Article I, which includes the power of the purse[6].
The bill's passage comes after a rarely used process to avoid the 60-vote threshold, with the vote being passed along party lines[7]. However, the difficulty in passing even these relatively modest cuts suggests that more ambitious reductions will face even greater resistance in the future.
The measure now goes back to the House, where it will need to be passed again before Trump can sign it into law[8]. The immediate effects will be felt by international aid recipients and domestic public media audiences, while the longer-term consequences could include a recalibration of U.S. global engagement and the viability of future bipartisan cooperation on federal spending[2][3][4].
References: [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/us/politics/house-spending-cuts-trump.html [2] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/23/house-passes-spending-cuts-bill-1319840 [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/23/house-passes-spending-cuts-bill-trump-would-slash-foreign-aid-public-broadcasting/ [4] https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/23/politics/spending-cuts-trump-congress/index.html [5] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/23/wicker-rescissions-measure-1320348 [6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/23/house-passes-spending-cuts-bill-trump-would-slash-foreign-aid-public-broadcasting/ [7] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/us/politics/house-spending-cuts-trump.html [8] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/23/house-passes-spending-cuts-bill-1319840
- The passage of the funding package by the Senate has initiated a controversy in the realm of politics, as it aims to recoup funds from foreign aid programs and public media funding, which could potentially impact the financial viability of international aid initiatives and local public broadcasting, particularly in underserved areas.
- The move to cut funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and foreign aid programs has sparked concerns among Republican senators, such as Thom Tillis and Roger Wicker, who are troubled by the unclear consequences for specific programs and the constitutionally questionable delegation of decision-making power to the Office of Management and Budget in the White House.
