In a pivotal moment for government spending, Vice President JD Vance stepped in to break a 50–50 deadlock on July 15, allowing a contentious package to move forward that proposes cutting $9 billion from federal funding. This is a slimmed-down iteration of former President Donald Trump’s original request for $9.4 billion in rescissions.
The bill managed to clear a significant procedural hurdle with a narrow 51–50 vote, despite dissent from three Republican senators: Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The vote lingered for almost thirty minutes, awaiting Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), whose affirmative vote brought the tally to a tie before Vance’s arrival sealed the deal.
This outcome marks a notable victory for Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), following a protracted period of negotiations and disputes over the rescissions package, which follows the guidelines set by the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
USAID and PEPFAR
The proposed cuts primarily target funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), amounting to approximately $7.9 billion—$400 million less than what the House previously approved. This reduction comes after the Senate opted to exclude cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, a contentious issue that sparked considerable debate among Republican lawmakers.
PEPFAR, launched under President George W. Bush, aims to eliminate the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. Collins and Murkowski have voiced significant apprehension regarding the cuts to this program. “I’ve made it abundantly clear that while I can support some cuts, slashing funding for global health initiatives is a non-starter,” Collins stated on July 10.
Thune acknowledged the concerns surrounding PEPFAR, emphasizing the necessity of amending the bill to reflect members’ interests. “We had considerable interest in addressing the PEPFAR matter, and this is reflected in the revisions made,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, McConnell raised alarms about the potential implications of foreign aid cuts on America’s ability to wield “soft power” on the global stage, a concept that suggests influence is better exerted through cultural and diplomatic means rather than military might.
PBS, NPR Cuts
Another flashpoint in the proposed bill involves the rescission of $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which oversees National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). This move has drawn ire from several senators, including Rounds, who expressed concern about how this would impact local and tribal broadcasting in South Dakota.
In a social media post, Rounds indicated his support for the bill, noting, “We wanted to ensure that tribal broadcast services in South Dakota could continue their operations, especially as they provide critical emergency alerts.”
House Lawmakers Unhappy About Changes
Due to the adjustments made to the rescission package, it must now return to the House for reconsideration. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) urged the Senate not to modify the bill any further, emphasizing the urgency of finalizing the legislation before the impending deadline. “We’re encouraging our Senate partners to get this done and pass it as-is,” Johnson stated at a leadership press conference on Tuesday.
House members expressed frustration regarding the changes, with Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) arguing that the Senate should adhere to the House’s original version. “We are merely codifying cuts to what the DOGE team deemed wasteful spending,” he explained.
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) echoed this sentiment, lamenting the Senate’s historical tendency to shy away from fiscal conservatism. “Disappointing but not surprising,” Grothman commented on the situation.
Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) added his voice to the chorus of criticism, asserting that many senators, regardless of party affiliation, seem inclined to spend taxpayer dollars more freely. “It’s a concerning trend we’re observing,” he remarked.
Thune, while acknowledging the inevitable pushback from the House, insisted that the modifications were essential for the Senate’s approval. “We hope the House will accept this minor adjustment, as it still represents a significant step toward eliminating waste and inefficiency in our government,” he concluded.
Jackson Richman contributed to this report.
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