On Thursday morning, the Senate approved a package requested by President Trump, directing $9 billion in federal funds for international aid and public broadcasting to the House for a final vote.
The vote, which ended 51-48, represented a win for Trump, who has expressed a desire to shrink the federal government. Democrats criticized the package for contributing an estimated $3.3 trillion to the debt over the next decade due to Trump’s recent comprehensive bill.
This package finally passed just after 2 a.m. following over 12 hours of voting on various amendments.
While the impact appears minimal, with only a slight reduction in the federal budget, Republicans view it as a crucial step forward.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remarked that it represents a small yet significant move toward fiscal responsibility that should garner broad agreement, albeit delayed.
During his first term, Trump did not manage to push through a $15 billion rescue package after Senate Republicans opposed the proposal.
This time around, he is working with a larger Republican majority in the Senate, which seems more aligned with his agenda than it was seven years ago.
Despite a couple of senior Republicans on the Budget Committee voting against it, Thune successfully brought the package to a vote.
Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who chair the subcommittee overseeing the budget for home affairs, opposed the bill.
Interestingly, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) initially voted “no” on two preceding votes but ultimately supported the final passage.
Democrats experienced a setback with the absence of Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who was hospitalized.
Collins voiced concerns about the administration’s lack of clarity regarding the implementation of the funding rescues and brought this up with Budget Director Russ Vert.
Discussions intensified among Republican leaders after the White House agreed to amend the bill and remove a proposed $400 million cut from the Pepfar global anti-AIDS initiative established by former President George W. Bush.
Thune emphasized that preserving Pepfar is critical for numerous Republican senators.
However, the bill will result in nearly $8 billion cuts from various international programs, affecting Development Assistance, the Economic Assistance Fund, and USAID Global Health Programs.
It also slashes over $1 billion from public broadcasting entities, which has raised concerns, especially from local radio stations that depend on federal support more than their urban counterparts.
Republicans welcomed the cuts to public broadcasting, a move Trump had attempted during his first term but was unable to achieve. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) expressed hope for more rescue packages to continue reducing spending.
Some Republicans, including Murkowski, cautioned that cutting funding for public broadcasting could have dire consequences for local radio stations that serve as critical information sources during emergencies.
Murkowski pointed out that a recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Alaska demonstrated the importance of public radio for immediate news dissemination.
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stated that cuts could significantly impact rural radio stations, which often provide crucial emergency updates during crises.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned that the bill could lead to “devastating consequences” for American farmers, researchers, and businesses, potentially making it easier for terrorist recruitment and benefiting adversaries like communist China and Vladimir Putin.
Democrats attempted to amend the bill to safeguard various federal programs from cuts.
Despite some bipartisan support, amendments to protect international disaster relief and public broadcasting funds failed in votes.
Schumer previously communicated concerns about potential implications of the Republican cuts on future spending agreements.
The legislation now must pass through the House of Representatives by Friday; otherwise, Congress will need to halt funding subject to the proposed rescissions.
Thune expressed optimism that a compromise could restore Bush-era anti-Aid initiative funding and that the House will support the Senate’s work.
