Senators Work to Secure Votes for Trump’s Foreign Aid and Broadcasting Funding Request
Senate GOP leaders are scrambling to shore up the votes for the White House’s $9.4 billion request to claw back funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting. With the July 18 deadline fast approaching, the package is at risk of expiring if Congress does not act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the need for at least 51 votes to move the bill forward, but acknowledged that the final outcome remains uncertain.
Amid the tight race for support, several GOP senators have voiced their interest in amending the package to protect critical programs. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Senate Appropriations Chair, has already made it clear she does not support the cuts to PEPFAR and child and maternal health initiatives. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) have also joined the chorus, seeking to safeguard public radio stations for Native American reservations and rural Alaskans, respectively. Rounds highlighted the critical role these stations play in disseminating emergency information in underserved communities.
However, the process of amending the package is not without its complications. Any proposed changes must be narrowly tailored to meet the requirements of the germaneness rules, which restrict the types of amendments that can be made. The Senate Parliamentarian plays a key role in this, guiding senators on what adjustments are permissible. This procedural hurdle has left some Republicans uncertain about the potential for meaningful amendments. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas expressed that he remains open to supporting the bill as long as the parliamentarian allows the necessary changes.
The tension among Republicans has not gone unnoticed. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) criticized the internal debate over the funding cuts, arguing that if the Senate cannot agree to reduce spending by $9 billion, then it should reconsider the broader implications of its budgetary priorities. This sentiment reflects the growing divide within the party on how to approach the administration’s spending request.
In addition to the funding package, other developments are being closely watched. A bipartisan bill to impose new sanctions on Russia is expected to be discussed by the Senate in the coming days, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) indicating the president supports the proposal as Russia continues to resist peace talks in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kevin O’Connor, the former physician of President Joe Biden, is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee, revealing the continued scrutiny of the administration’s leadership.