House Republicans Pass Spending Cut Bill
On Thursday, House Republicans narrowly passed a bill aimed at cutting federal spending by $9.4 billion, which solidifies several actions by the Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The Recissions Package is set to reclaim roughly $8.3 billion that was previously designated for the U.S. International Development Agency (USAID) and about $1.1 billion allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
The vote tally of 214-212 sends the measure to the Senate, where it requires only a simple majority to reach President Trump’s desk.
This package will recapture funds linked to specific projects, such as $3 million for the Iraqi version of “Sesame Street,” $6 million for a “City of Zero” initiative in Mexico, and $2 million earmarked for educating children about environmentally sustainable practices.
A memo from the White House, which was first reported by the Post in April, outlined the goals of these cuts, stating they would target “waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending.”
Drafted by White House budget director Las Vert at the request of GOP leaders, the memo has faced criticism from the CPB, which cites a “long history of anti-conservative bias.”
Additionally, it highlights past comments by NPR CEO Katherine Maher, who referred to Trump as a “fascist” and a “crazy racist,” a remark she has since revisited.
The GOP has also dealt with criticism stemming from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who publicly expressed frustration that Congress hadn’t solidified certain commitments, which has pushed GOP leadership to emphasize the need for more government efficiency.
This legislative move will allow for the cancellation of funds previously allocated for 2025, aligned with the Water Storage Management Act of 1974.
House Republicans had earlier introduced technical amendments to a substantial bill aimed at advancing the rescue package through a procedural vote last month.
Despite Trump’s previous efforts during his first term where he proposed a $14.7 billion rescue package, that initiative fell short in the Senate.
Former Presidents Biden, Obama, and Bush did not pursue rescue packages as outlined by the Government Accountability Bureau.
The current effort comes amidst increasing pressure from fiscal conservatives to reduce government spending. Trump’s ambitious One Big Beautiful Building Act proposes $1.25 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
However, it’s important to note that these cuts primarily target discretionary spending, which accounts for about 25% of the overall budget. Mandatory spending, particularly for programs like Medicaid, remains untouched.
There have been rising concerns about the implications of the One Big Beautiful Building Act on the deficit, with the CBO projecting that it could contribute $3 trillion to the deficit over the next ten years.
