Trump Seeks Congressional Approval to Cut $9.4 Billion in Public and Foreign Programs

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has formally requested that Congress rescind $9.4 billion in previously approved federal spending, targeting funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid programs. The proposal, submitted on June 3, 2025, by White House budget director Russell Vought, seeks to legalize cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency.

The proposed rescissions include $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as more than $8 billion in reductions to U.S. foreign aid efforts. The administration has stated that the intent is to eliminate what it considers unnecessary or ideologically misaligned expenditures.

“These rescissions would eliminate programs that are antithetical to American interests, such as funding the World Health Organization, LGBTQI+ activities, ‘equity’ programs, radical Green New Deal-type policies, and more,” Vought wrote in the letter accompanying the package.

Under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, Congress has 45 days to approve or reject the proposed rescissions. If no action is taken, the funds must be spent as originally appropriated. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress and can pass the rescissions with simple majorities, though disagreements within the party could complicate the effort.

Democratic lawmakers have voiced strong objections. Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, “After linking arms with Elon Musk to create the Department of Government Efficiency and send their DOGE recommendations to Congress, House Republicans are now sprinting to jam those recommendations through as quickly as possible. No way.”

Public broadcasting cuts have drawn significant attention. The rescissions package argues the CPB subsidies are a “politically biased and unnecessary expense to the taxpayer.” Though the measure could appeal to some fiscal conservatives, polls indicate public resistance. A March Pew Research Center survey found 43% of Americans support continued federal funding for NPR and PBS, while only 24% favor eliminating it.

Foreign aid reductions outlined in the proposal would hit programs operated by the U.S. Agency for International Development, American contributions to the United Nations, and global health initiatives, including efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, support maternal health, and fund peacekeeping operations. The package cites opposition to family planning, reproductive health, LGBTQI+ inclusion, and equity-centered initiatives as reasons for the cuts.

The rescissions align with the principles in Project 2025, a policy plan co-authored by Vought advocating for sweeping changes to federal governance and a rollback of agency autonomy.

Congressional leaders have yet to announce specific votes on the proposal, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the package will be taken up “as soon as possible.” Whether full or partial approval can be secured remains uncertain, particularly given the Senate’s current legislative backlog and time constraints imposed by the 45-day review period.

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