The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s proposed $9 billion cut to foreign aid and public media funding early Thursday morning, just ahead of a critical Friday deadline.
The measure, submitted as a rescission request by the President, now heads back to the House for further consideration.
The Senate’s approval marks a step forward in a broader strategy to reduce federal spending in targeted areas. The proposed cuts affect foreign assistance programs and funding for public broadcasting entities.
They pointed out that U.S. foreign assistance often supports critical services such as global health programs, educational initiatives, and disaster relief in vulnerable regions.
The reduction in public broadcasting funding has also drawn significant attention. Public media organizations deliver educational and cultural programming free from commercial pressures, and critics of the cuts fear the change could limit access to impartial news and vital information, especially for underserved communities. They emphasized the role of public broadcasting in supporting civic engagement and media literacy.
The House will now review the Senate-approved proposal. Several representatives have called for thorough deliberation before reaching a final decision. With differing views across party lines, the outcome remains uncertain.