On Wednesday, the House of Representatives cleared a crucial procedural step, enabling the $9.4 billion spending cuts package proposed by former President Donald Trump to advance toward a final vote. The measure, introduced by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., aims to cut $8.3 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and over $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This latter agency distributes federal funds to NPR and PBS, sparking concerns among lawmakers about the potential impact on public journalism.
The decision followed a rule vote, which passed largely along party lines, allowing for debate and a final House vote on the spending cuts. While the rule vote was anticipated, the outcome remains critical, as the bill faces potential challenges before its expected Thursday afternoon vote. The process involves navigating a complex budget reconciliation framework, with the Senate’s Byrd Bath review playing a role in shaping the final version of the legislation.
House GOP leaders have framed the measure as a way to address what they describe as government waste, referencing Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as a source for identifying inefficiencies. This effort is part of a larger budget strategy aimed at reducing discretionary spending, whichCongress controls annually. Unlike mandatory spending, which is more resistant to change, discretionary funds offer more flexibility for cuts.
Republican lawmakers have emphasized the importance of the spending cuts as a test of the party’s willingness to implement significant reductions. However, some Republicans have raised concerns, with Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., noting that media funding represents less than 0.01% of the federal budget. He warned that cutting this line item would ‘dismantle a trusted source of information for millions of Americans.’ Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., also voiced concerns about USAID cuts, stating he received assurances that critical medical funding would be spared, though he remained uncertain about his support for the bill.
Meanwhile, other elements of the budget process have been moving forward, with a major immigration bill also undergoing reconciliation. This bill, which aims to provide substantial tax cuts for businesses, is progressing under a lower Senate threshold, allowing the majority to bypass the minority party. Republican leaders have stressed that these developments are part of a coordinated effort to reshape the federal budget and prioritize certain spending priorities, even amid bipartisan concerns about the broader implications of such changes.