The U.S. Senate narrowly approved a $9 billion spending cut package early Thursday morning, advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda to eliminate wasteful foreign aid and defund public broadcasting giants NPR and PBS. The legislation now heads back to the House, which must approve the Senate’s version before Friday’s deadline.
The bill passed 51–48 after an all-night amendment session, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a procedural tie earlier in the week to keep the measure alive. The rescissions package is the first major implementation of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, focused on clawing back unused or politically controversial funds.
“This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about taking back control,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who led the charge in the Senate. “America is not a tax farm for global leftism. We’re a sovereign nation — and it’s time to start acting like one again.”
The bill zeroes in on funds previously earmarked for overseas climate programs, international development NGOs, the Democracy Fund, and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS — two outlets Trump has repeatedly denounced for left-wing bias.
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) sided with Democrats in opposing the bill. Collins argued that the bill lacked transparency: “We should know exactly what programs are affected and the consequences of rescissions.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who initially voted against advancing the measure, ultimately supported it.
The House passed an earlier $9.4 billion version in June, but will need to hold a new vote after the Senate removed $400 million in cuts to the PEPFAR AIDS relief program. That decision came after concerns from GOP members and a green light from the White House to strike the provision.
The rescissions effort is being expedited under the Impoundment Control Act, which allows Congress to bypass the filibuster and pass the cuts with simple majorities in both chambers.
OMB officials said the cuts include:
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$1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
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Funding for “net-zero” climate cities in Mexico
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Grants for Iraqi “Sesame Street” programming
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Taxpayer-funded global LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives
President Trump has made it clear that this is only the beginning of a broader effort. Sources at the White House and Capitol Hill say more DOGE-driven rescissions are coming — assuming this initial package clears the final hurdle.
Trump issued a final warning to Republicans earlier this week: “Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.”