Bill that cuts foreign aid and public broadcasting heads to Trump's desk

July 18, 2025

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill cutting $9 billion in previously approved funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid, following the Senate's passage less than 24 hours earlier. The legislation, which passed by a narrow 216 to 213 vote with all Democrats and two Republicans opposing, now awaits President Trump's signature. Major cuts target the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (including PBS and NPR) and USAID, though the final package was reduced from $9.

Who is affected

Public broadcasting entities (Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR)
Recipients of US foreign aid through USAID
Communities relying on public broadcasting for emergency information
Rural communities that use public radio as a "lifeline"
Recipients of Pepfar (global AIDS prevention program)

What action is being taken

Congress is cutting $9 billion in previously approved funding
The bill is being sent to President Trump for signature
Republicans are planning more spending cuts as part of an ongoing effort
The funding reduction for Pepfar was scaled back to preserve $400 million

Why it matters

This is the first successful rescissions package in over 30 years
It reduces funding for major public broadcasting and humanitarian programs
Public broadcasting serves critical functions including emergency alerts, as demonstrated during a recent Alaska earthquake
The bill represents a significant victory for Republicans and President Trump in their effort to reduce government spending
It establishes a precedent for future funding cuts, as explicitly stated by Republican leaders

What's next

The bill will go to President Trump to be signed into law
Republicans plan to pursue additional rescissions packages to cut more government funding

Read full article from source: BBC