The Latest: Senate passes $9 billion in spending cuts to public broadcasting, foreign aid
Jul 17, 2025, 5:40 AM
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., walks to his office from the Senate chamber as Senate Republicans vote on President Donald Trump's request to cancel about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting spending, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 16, 2025.(AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Just after 2 a.m. ET, the Senate passed about $9 billion in federal spending cuts requested by President Donald Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, moving forward on his top priorities despite concerns from several Republican senators.
The legislation, which now moves to the House, would have a tiny impact on the nation鈥檚 rising debt but could have major ramifications for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and U.S. food aid internationally. It also could complicate efforts to pass additional spending bills this year, as Democrats and even some Republicans voice objections to broadly ceding congressional spending power with little idea of how the White House Office of Management and Budget would apply the cuts.
The 51-48 vote came after Democrats sought to remove many of the proposed rescissions during 12 hours of amendment votes. None of the Democratic amendments were adopted.
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