By Gloria Nosa
Senate Approves $9 B rescission Package
On July 17, the U.S. Senate passed a rescission bill to claw back $9 billion in previously appropriated funds, using a simple majority under the Impoundment Control Act—a maneuver rarely successful since the Clinton era The final tally was 51–48, with only Senators Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK) and Susan Collins (R‑ME) joining Democrats in opposition.
What’s Being Cut
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≈ $8 billion from foreign aid, primarily targeting USAID programs
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≈ $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (NPR, PBS) over two years
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A planned $400 million cut to PEPFAR was exempted due to bipartisan concern
Ties to Musk’s DOGE Initiative
These reductions derive from recommendations by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a Trump–appointed task force spearheaded by Elon Musk aiming to eliminate federal waste. DOGE initially claimed up to $190 billion in savings, and this rescission package is the first to be codified by Congress.
Political Maneuvering & Reactions
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Republican leadership (led by Sen. John Thune) utilized rescission authority to bypass the 60‑vote filibuster threshold.
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Trump pressured GOP senators publicly, warning of withheld endorsements for dissenters.
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Key GOP moderates (Collins, Murkowski, McConnell) voiced concerns over cuts to emergency services and bipartisan programs.
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Democrats criticized the move as executive overreach that cripples global aid, rural media, and basic services.
Impacts & Implications
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Global aid at risk: Analysts warn cuts could reverse progress on humanitarian crises and exacerbate health emergencies.
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Public media threatened: Rural NPR/PBS affiliates reliant on federal grants may face deep financial strain
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Precedent set: This successful rescission could signal a frequent use of executive-led cuts, reshaping Congress’s power of the purse.
Next Steps
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Back to the House: The amended bill (excluding PEPFAR cuts) must clear the House by July 18 to take effect..
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Presidential signature: If approved, the cuts become binding; if not by Friday, funds are reinstated.
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Future rescissions likely: The administration may pursue additional DOGE-driven clawbacks from its $190 billion list..
Bottom Line
Senate passage of the $9 billion rescission marks a landmark win for the Trump‑Musk DOGE agenda, enabling major swift cuts with minimal Senate consensus. While supporters hail the move as targeting wasteful spending, critics warn it undercuts vital services—from global health and humanitarian aid to community news outlets—while raising troubling questions about executive influence over federal appropriations.
