Senate Republicans Advance $9 Billion Spending Cut Despite Concerns

Senate Republicans narrowly advanced a measure to cancel approximately $9 billion in previously approved spending, as requested by President Donald Trump. The vote was tied at 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote. This move comes despite concerns from some lawmakers about the potential impact on impoverished communities worldwide and on public radio and television stations in their respective states.

A final vote in the Senate could occur as early as Wednesday. Following this, the bill would return to the House for another vote before being sent to Trump's desk for his signature, with a deadline set for Friday. Republicans scaled back the president's request by excluding a proposed $400 million cut to the PEPFAR program, which is credited with saving millions of lives since its inception under President George W. Bush to combat HIV/AIDS. This adjustment increased the likelihood of the bill's passage.

The president also aims to reclaim funds allocated for foreign aid programs, as identified by his Department of Government Efficiency, and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, stating, "When you’ve got a $36 trillion debt, we have to do something to get spending under control."

In an effort to address concerns, Republicans met with Russ Vought, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, during their weekly conference luncheon. Vought fielded approximately 20 questions from senators, and the White House's campaign to win over potential holdouts had some success. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., tweeted that he would support the measure after working with the administration to reallocate funds to continue grants to tribal radio stations without interruption.

Some senators expressed worry that cuts to public media could severely impact the 1,500 local radio and television stations that rely on federal funding to operate. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes more than 70% of its funding to these stations. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted the lack of specifics from the White House, stating, "The rescissions package has a big problem — nobody really knows what program reductions are in it."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, expressed her disapproval of the Senate being involved in numerous rounds of rescissions, stating, "We are lawmakers. We should be legislating." Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Collins, and Murkowski joined with Democrats in voting against the Senate taking up the measure, citing a lack of details from the White House. McConnell stated, "They would like a blank check is what they would like. And I don’t think that’s appropriate."

Despite these concerns, the majority of Republicans supported Trump's request. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., described the bill as "a first step in a long but necessary fight to put our nation’s fiscal house in order." Democrats, however, warned of the consequences of the rescissions, with Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats, stating, "It shreds the appropriations process."

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., highlighted the reliance of tens of millions of Americans on local public radio and television stations for news, weather alerts, and educational programs. He warned that many could lose access to this information due to the rescissions. Schumer also criticized the GOP's motivation for taking up the bill, stating that the amount of savings pales in comparison to the $3.4 trillion in projected deficits over the next decade resulting from Republicans' tax and spending cut bill.

With Republicans providing enough votes to take up the bill, the Senate is set for 10 hours of debate plus votes on potentially contentious amendments. The House has already shown its support for the president's request with a 214-212 vote, but since the Senate is amending the bill, it will have to go back to the House for another vote. Republicans who vote against the measure face the prospect of incurring Trump's disapproval, as he has issued a warning on his social media site aimed at individual Senate Republicans considering voting against the rescissions package.