US Senate approves $9bn cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting funds

July 17, 2025

The US Senate has passed a bill seeking to cut $9 billion from previously approved congressional funding, affecting public broadcasting and foreign aid programs. The vote occurred after an overnight session of amendment negotiations and represents part of President Trump's larger initiative to reduce federal spending. While senators preserved funding for the HIV/AIDS program Pepfar after Republican negotiations, they rejected numerous amendments to maintain international aid and public broadcasting funding levels.

Who is affected

Multiple international aid programs including USAID global health programs
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS
Rural Americans who rely on public radio stations
Recipients of foreign aid funding

What action is being taken

The Senate is cutting approximately $9 billion from previously approved congressional funding
Republicans are negotiating amendments to reach a majority
The bill is being sent back to the House of Representatives for another vote
Congress is working under a deadline to pass the bill before it expires on Friday

Why it matters

The bill represents a step toward reducing federal spending according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune
It would cut approximately $8 billion from multiple aid programs
More than $1 billion would be cut from public broadcasting that serves rural Americans
The bill is part of President Trump's larger effort to reduce federal spending
It demonstrates partisan divisions with all Democrats opposing the cuts

What's next

The bill will return to the House of Representatives for another vote
Both the House and Senate must agree on a version of the rescissions package before it expires on Friday
House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed a preference for the House's original version

Read full article from source: BBC