Summary:
House Republicans approved a $9 billion rescissions package targeting funding for NPR, PBS, USAID, and other federal programs. The bill passed narrowly, with most Republicans supporting the cuts as part of a broader effort to reduce wasteful spending and address fiscal discipline. This move represents a significant shift in federal spending priorities, particularly in media and foreign aid, and sets the stage for further rescission efforts.
What This Means for You:
- The defunding of NPR and PBS could impact access to public broadcasting resources, prompting audiences to seek alternative media outlets.
- Reductions in foreign aid may reshape U.S. involvement in global initiatives, potentially affecting international relations and humanitarian efforts.
- Taxpayers could benefit from reduced federal spending, but critics argue these cuts may limit essential services and programs.
- Expect ongoing debates and legislative battles as Congress continues to address fiscal responsibility and spending priorities.
Original Post:
House Republicans passed a sweeping $9 billion rescissions package late Thursday that delivers a knockout punch to globalist pet projects and leftist propaganda machines like NPR and PBS.
The vote was 216–213, with only two Republicans—Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Turner—breaking ranks to side with Democrats in opposition.
“President Trump and House Republicans promised fiscal responsibility and government efficiency. Today, we’re once again delivering on that promise,” House Speaker Johnson wrote on X.
“This package eliminates $9 billion in unnecessary and wasteful spending at the State Department, USAID, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The American people will no longer be forced to fund politically biased media and more than $8 billion in outrageous expenses overseas.
“While Republicans continue to deliver real accountability, restore fiscal discipline, and protect taxpayer dollars, Democrats continue to defend waste, fraud, and abuse. This isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. We look forward to passing additional rescissions bills throughout the 119th Congress.”
President Trump and House Republicans promised fiscal responsibility and government efficiency. Today, we’re once again delivering on that promise.
This package eliminates $9 billion in unnecessary and wasteful spending at the State Department, USAID, and the Corporation for… pic.twitter.com/kEDEwKfQTd
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 18, 2025
“Tonight, the House passed a rescissions bill to cut funding from USAID, NPR, and PBS. Don’t let Congress take any victory laps though. This needs to be the first of many. Keep pressing for deeper cuts to waste, fraud, and abuse across the board.”
Tonight, the House passed a rescissions bill to cut funding from USAID, NPR, and PBS.
Don’t let Congress take any victory laps though. This needs to be the first of many.
Keep pressing for deeper cuts to waste, fraud, and abuse across the board. pic.twitter.com/zqJvMOiaqD
— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) July 18, 2025
It can be recalled that the Republican-controlled Senate narrowly approved a sweeping Trump-endorsed rescission bill during a late-night vote Wednesday.
The bill slashes nearly $9 billion in previously approved federal spending—including full defunding of PBS and NPR and deep cuts to U.S. foreign aid—by a razor-thin 51–48 vote.
The measure advanced through a late-night vote-a-rama.
Only two GOP senators—Susan Collins (R‑ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK)—sided with Democrats to try to block Trump’s efforts to restore fiscal sanity.
Democrat Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) was notably absent from the vote — her staff citing a hospital stay “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Politico.
This is the first time in over 25 years a president has used rescission authority to claw back previously approved federal funds—a bolt from Washington’s rusted machinery.
Politico reported:
The House’s 216-213 vote to clear the Senate-amended package comes less than 24 hours after the Senate voted to tweak the administration’s original proposal that would have cut an additional $400 million from the global AIDS fighting program, PEPFAR. Senate Republicans also added language vowing that certain food assistance programs would be protected, and staved off impacts to other food aid, maternal health, malaria and tuberculosis-related initiatives.
“This bill tonight is part of continuing that trend of getting spending under control. Does it answer all the problems? No. Nine billion dollars is a good start,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
Two House Republicans, Reps. Mike Turner of Ohio and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, voted against the measure for the second time, having also opposed it when the House first voted on the package last month. But Republican Reps. Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mark Amodei of Nevada flipped to “yes,” heartened by the Senate deal to strike the proposed cut to AIDS-prevention efforts.
The package was advanced in the House under a fast-track process: Instead of voting directly on the bill, lawmakers triggered passage by voting for a procedural measure that’s typically used to set up debate. It meant lawmakers would not have to take an additional vote.
It also helped House Republicans move quickly to pass the bill, which needed to be shipped to Trump’s desk by Friday night or the rescissions request would expire and the administration would be forced to spend the money as Congress originally intended.
This rescissions package is the first to succeed in more than 30 years, and it’s already causing trouble for the annual appropriations process just 10 weeks before the Sept. 30 deadline to reach a funding deal or launch a government shutdown.
Extra Information:
For further context on federal rescission authority, visit Congressional Budget Office (CBO). To explore the impacts of defunding PBS and NPR, read NPR’s coverage. For insights on U.S. foreign aid reforms, check USAID’s official site.
People Also Ask About:
- What is a rescissions package? A legislative tool to cancel previously approved federal funding.
- Why defund NPR and PBS? Critics argue they promote biased reporting and wasteful spending.
- How does this affect taxpayers? Potential reductions in federal expenditures may lower tax burdens.
- What’s next for federal spending? Expect further debates and cuts as Congress targets fiscal reform.
Expert Opinion:
This rescissions package marks a pivotal moment in fiscal policy, signaling a shift toward stricter spending controls. However, experts caution that defunding public media and cutting foreign aid could have far-reaching societal and geopolitical consequences.
Key Terms:
- federal rescissions package
- defunding NPR and PBS
- USAID budget cuts
- fiscal responsibility in Congress
- House Republicans spending reforms
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