In a dramatic late-night vote, the U.S. Senate approved President Donald Trump’s $9 billion rescission package. The package claws back billions in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds to refocus spending on domestic priorities. Fiscal conservatives hailed the move as a “course correction. ” It marks a defining moment in Trump’s second term and signals a broader shift toward economic nationalism.
The package targets:
- $8.3 billion in foreign aid, including emergency relief, development assistance, and democracy-building programs in developing nations
- $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS
Republican leaders framed the cuts as a stand against “wasteful globalism,” arguing that taxpayer dollars should serve American interests first. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called it “a small but important step for fiscal sanity”.
The vote passed 51–48, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after defections from GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell, who expressed concern over the opaque nature of the cuts.
Critics, including Democrats and moderate Republicans, warned of humanitarian fallout and geopolitical consequences. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) accused the administration of “causing death” by slashing aid to disaster-stricken regions. Others cautioned that the vacuum left by U.S. retrenchment could be filled by China, undermining American influence abroad.
The bill also sparked controversy over cuts to rural public broadcasting, which serves as a critical emergency alert system in remote areas. Murkowski cited a recent tsunami warning in Alaska as proof of its life-saving role.
Despite internal GOP tensions, the House is expected to pass the amended bill before Friday’s midnight deadline. Trump has signaled more rescission packages to come, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to dismantling what he calls “the globalist spending machine.”
This legislative win not only reasserts executive control over federal spending but also sets the tone for upcoming budget battles. With the 2026 elections looming, Republicans are betting that a return to “America First” economics will resonate with voters weary of foreign entanglements and ballooning deficits.
