Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, left, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise conduct a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center after a meeting of the House Republican Conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.© Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The House of Representatives voted 214-212 on Thursday to pass a controversial rescissions package aimed at slashing $9.4 billion in previously approved funding, including cuts to NPR, PBS, and international aid programs. All Democrats opposed the measure, and only four Republicans broke ranks to vote against it. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Trump Pressures GOP for Support
Former President Donald Trump urged Republicans to back the measure, calling it a “no brainer” in a post on Truth Social. “Every single Republican in Congress should vote, ‘YES,’” he wrote.
Focus on Cutting Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting
The package primarily targets international assistance and media funding. It would cancel $8.3 billion in funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and eliminate $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS.
House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the cuts, calling them part of the “DOGE effort” — the Department of Government Efficiency initiative. “Today’s passage of this initial rescissions package marks a critical step toward a more responsible and transparent government that puts the interests of the American taxpayers first,” Johnson said.
Funding for NPR and PBS Under Fire
PBS received $325 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this year, and Johnson argued such funding is outdated. “There is no reason for any media organization to be singled out to receive federal funds — especially those who appear to have so little regard for the truth,” he said.
Controversy Over Cuts to Global Health
Some Republicans expressed concern over proposed reductions to global health programs. The package includes cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program launched by George W. Bush that has been credited with saving millions of lives.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine strongly objected. “PEPFAR cuts make no sense to me whatsoever, given the extraordinary record of PEPFAR in saving lives,” she said.
Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska initially opposed the bill due to the PEPFAR cuts but eventually supported it after closed-door GOP meetings.
Scalise and GOP Leaders Signal Strong Support
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise called the vote a major first step. “Our members are ready to go lock in some of those DOGE cuts,” he said. “It’s a good start.”
Speaker Johnson added, “House Republicans are serious about getting our fiscal house in order, and we’ll do that.”
What’s Next in the Senate
The rescissions package now heads to the Senate, where it needs only a simple majority to pass. Senate Majority Whip John Thune said the chamber is currently prioritizing a broader budget bill aligned with Trump’s agenda. He indicated that work on the rescissions package may not begin until July.
For more updates, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.