House passes Trump's $9.4 billion funding cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid
- The House passed a package to reduce funding for NPR, PBS, and foreign aid, reflecting a significant political move by Republican leaders.
- The bill faced objections from some GOP members concerned about the implications for public health programs.
- The passage indicates a turning point in government spending priorities, highlighting a shift towards more conservative fiscal policies.
In the United States, the House of Representatives successfully passed President Donald Trump's $9.4 billion rescissions package, which aims to reduce federal funding for public broadcasting outlets NPR and PBS, while also targeting foreign aid. The vote took place on June 12, 2025, and was conducted primarily along party lines. With 214 votes in favor and 212 against, the bill's passage faced close scrutiny as a significant number of Republican lawmakers expressed concerns over the impacts of the cuts, particularly regarding health programs for combating HIV and AIDS globally. Key Republicans such as Rep. Don Bacon indicated reservations about the legislation, reflecting broader warnings from other party members about potentially damaging essential services. The funding cut proposals have been characterized by GOP leadership as an effort to eliminate what they perceive as wasteful spending on programs they label as 'woke' or politically biased. The legislation not only seeks to eliminate $8.3 billion in funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) but also proposes to strip over $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which directly impacts NPR and PBS funding. The administration argues that eliminating this funding will enhance accountability and cut down on perceived fiscal misuse. Additionally, reports indicate that those communities most affected by the cuts predominantly reside in states that supported Trump in the last election, meaning Republican constituents could experience a significant loss in local news resources, further contributing to 'news deserts.' By advancing this rescissions package, GOP leaders signify their intent to pursue further cuts of this nature in future legislation. This is emblematic of an ongoing political battle over federal funding for media and international aid.