House Narrowly Approves $9.4 billion Rescissions Package

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $9.4 billion rescissions package late Thursday, ending federal funding for public broadcasting and trimming foreign aid programs. The measure passed 214–212, a slim margin that reflected deep intra-party tensions and extensive last-minute politicking.

The Rescissions Act of 2025 includes $8.3 billion in reductions across accounts at the State Department and USAID, including PEPFAR – the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. It also includes a $1.1 billion cut from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which sends funding to NPR and PBS.

Among the programs and funding cuts are $1.5 million to "advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Serbia's workplaces and business communities”, $2 million for sex changes and "LGBT activism" in Guatemala, $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street, $2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam and $1.5 million to promote "LGBT advocacy" in Jamaica.

President Donald Trump celebrated the vote as a long-awaited cut promised by Republicans. “For decades, Republicans have promised to cut NPR, but have never done it, until now… The Rescissions Bill is a NO BRAINER… MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) acknowledged the narrow path forward. “We think we have the votes. We’re going ahead with it,” he told reporters earlier in the day, shortly before the vote.

Representative Barry Moore (R-AL1) praised the bill, saying: “President Trump understands what too many in Washington have forgotten: this is the people’s money. The rescissions package that House Republicans just passed is a direct strike to the bloated bureaucracy and out-of-control spending habits that we have seen in our federal government for too long. My constituents sent me here to be a responsible steward of their taxpayer dollars, not to rubber-stamp wasteful projects that do not help the American people. I thank President Trump for leading the charge to restore fiscal sanity and putting America first.”

Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL5) specifically addressed the cuts to NPR in a statement: "NPR has strayed from its original mission of providing balanced, educational programming. Today, it is nothing more than a taxpayer-funded mouthpiece for the left—pushing narratives that don't reflect the values or priorities of most Americans.”

Rep, Gary Palmer (R-AL6) also voiced his support for the bill, stating:“The tax dollars of hard-working Americans should not be going towards transgender services in Nepal, LGBTQI+ programs in Uganda, Iraqi Sesame Street, or resources to teach young children how to make environmentally friendly ‘reproductive health’ decisions. These are just a few examples of the wasteful government spending identified in the rescissions we voted on today. For the sake of the future of our nation, we must get our fiscal house in order and eliminate the waste, fraud, and abuse happening within our government. The Rescissions Act of 2025 takes a great step in this direction by cutting $9.4 billion in spending and prioritizing the American people instead of radical agendas.”

Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL7) took to social media to condem the bill, posting: “Apparently, Republicans’ massive cuts to health care and food assistance weren't enough. They just passed Trump's bill to defund PBS and NPR. They're going after educational programming for our kids, journalism, local sports coverage, and even emergency alerts. They also slashed programs that promote global peace and disease prevention. I voted NO!”

Republicans Robert Aderholt (AL4) and Mike Rogers (AL3) and Democrat Shomari Figures (AL2) had not commented on the bill at press time.

The measure now heads to the Senate, where it can pass with a simple majority under the expedited rescission process.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) said Senators would take up the bill in July, after finishing work on a major reconciliation bill. He indicated changes could be under consideration. Congress must act by midnight on July 18 or the funding will remain in place.

Put in perspective, the $9.4 billion cut, while a substantial sum, is approximately 0.0254% of the national debt.