In a dramatic twist in the ongoing saga of fiscal restraint, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) took to social media to unveil a startling allegation: House Speaker Mike Johnson has allegedly silently scrapped a pivotal vote this week regarding a rescissions package that had garnered the endorsement of former President Trump. This package, which aims to eradicate a hefty $9.3 billion in perceived excess federal spending, specifically targets funding for institutions like NPR and PBS, as well as the now-defunct USAID.
Punchbowl News had previously reported that House GOP leaders were eyeing a vote on this rescissions package for May 5, 2025, suggesting a calculated approach towards slashing governmental excess.
Last month, the White House briefed congressional staff on this ambitious plan—an effort to reclaim billions of taxpayer dollars while dismantling bureaucracies deemed corrupt, such as USAID, which Trump previously restructured under the State Department led by Secretary Marco Rubio.
The proposed cuts in the package primarily focus on:
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$8.3 billion in foreign aid, predominantly from the now-discontinued USAID, an agency that President Trump has effectively shuttered by merging it into the State Department.
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$1.1 billion in funding for NPR and PBS, both of which have been labeled by Trump officials as “far-left indoctrination machines financed by taxpayers.”
Massie shared his revelations on X, stating, “This wasn’t widely covered in the news, so I will tell you: Congress was scheduled to vote on rescissions THIS WEEK to cut the waste that DOGE found, but the votes were quietly canceled. USAID and other programs like PBS and NPR were to be targeted.”
In a rebuttal to Massie’s claims, Speaker Johnson’s office was quick to respond. Press Secretary Athina Lawson released a statement firmly denying any allegations of cancellation:
“No votes on rescissions were ‘cancelled’ this week. The Speaker has repeatedly expressed his commitment to save taxpayer funds via the rescissions process. Under law, this process requires a special message to Congress detailing proposed rescissions BEFORE Congress can act.”
No votes on rescissions were “cancelled” this week.
The Speaker has repeatedly expressed his commitment to save taxpayer funds via the rescissions process.
Under law, this process requires a special message to Congress detailing proposed rescissions BEFORE Congress can act. https://t.co/7bXizzRwzh
— Athina Lawson (@athina_lawson) May 7, 2025
