Congress just dropped a fiscal bombshell that’s got progressive feathers ruffled and conservative wallets cheering.
The New York Post reported that on Thursday, House Republicans pushed through a rescissions bill, slashing $9 billion from previously approved federal funds for foreign aid and public media like NPR and PBS.
It’s a move that signals a no-nonsense approach to trimming what many on the right see as bloated government spending. This clawback package passed the House by a razor-thin 216-213 vote, after clearing the Senate earlier the same day, and now awaits President Trump’s signature.
Let’s rewind to June 2025, when the White House first sent this bill to Congress, aiming to codify cuts to what the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) labeled as wasteful outlays.
The initial House version passed last month, but the Senate dragged its feet for weeks, wrestling with concerns over the specifics of these reductions. It’s no surprise—cutting funds isn’t exactly a bipartisan crowd-pleaser.
Fast forward to July 17, 2025, and the Senate finally gave its nod early in the day, though not without dissent from GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who sided with all 46 present Democrats in opposition.
Meanwhile, in the House, GOP Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mike Turner of Ohio broke ranks to vote no, joining every Democrat present. Talk about a tightrope walk—this bill barely squeaked through.
The House faced a hard deadline of Friday, July 18, 2025, to finalize the measure, which included adopting changes made by the Senate.
That urgency underscores how determined Republicans were to get this done, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers across the aisle. After all, returning taxpayer dollars to the treasury isn’t a bad look for those preaching fiscal restraint.
So, where’s the $9 billion coming from? Roughly $8 billion is being pulled back from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), while over $1 billion is being clawed from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS and NPR. For conservatives tired of footing the bill for what they see as left-leaning media, this cut is a long-overdue reality check.
Now, let’s not pretend everyone’s popping champagne over this. Critics on the left argue that defunding public broadcasting undermines free access to information, but many on the right counter that taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize outlets often perceived as pushing a progressive agenda. It’s a fair question—why should hard-earned dollars bankroll narratives not everyone agrees with?
On the foreign aid front, the Trump administration did make a concession by scrapping a proposed $400 million cut to a federal program combating AIDS globally. That’s a nod to humanitarian concerns, showing that even in a tough budget battle, there’s room for compromise on critical health initiatives. It’s a small win for those worried about slashing aid too deeply.
Back in the House, Democrats tried to throw a curveball via the Rules Committee, pushing an amendment to release documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
Republicans on the panel shut it down, though they did advance a nonbinding resolution supporting the public release of certain Epstein-related records. It’s a curious sideshow—perhaps a distraction from the main fiscal fight, but it didn’t derail the bill’s momentum.
Speaking of Democrats, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York kept his opposition speech to a brisk 15 minutes on Thursday night, despite House rules allowing him more time.
This comes after earlier in July 2025, when Jeffries used his “magic minute” to stall the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for nearly nine hours, shattering a record once held by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. Clearly, he picks his battles, but this time, brevity didn’t sway the outcome.
The bill’s passage marks a victory for those in the Trump administration, like White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, who’s reportedly gearing up to send more rescissions requests to Congress in the coming months.
If this is just the opening act, expect more budgetary showdowns as conservatives aim to keep the fiscal axe swinging. It’s a strategy that resonates with folks fed up with government overreach.
For many on the right, this $9 billion clawback is a step toward accountability, ensuring taxpayer money isn’t funneled into programs or media that don’t align with mainstream American values. Critics will cry foul, claiming it starves vital services, but supporters argue it’s high time to prioritize domestic needs over international handouts or biased broadcasting.
With the bill now headed to President Trump’s desk, all eyes are on whether he’ll sign it into law without hesitation. Given the administration’s push for these cuts, a signature seems likely, cementing a win for fiscal conservatives. It’s a moment that could define the tone for future spending battles.