The House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly passed a rescissions package that slashes $9 billion in previously approved federal funding, primarily targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting. The vote was 216-213, with Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) and Mike Turner (OH) joining all Democrats in opposing the bill.
The legislation, pushed by House Republicans and backed by the White House, was aimed at reducing what the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) identified as wasteful spending. The bill had already passed the Senate earlier in the day, with GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Susan Collins (ME) siding with Democrats against it.
With Friday looming as a deadline, the House approved the Senate’s amended version of the bill, sending it to President Trump for his signature.
Most of the cuts—roughly $8 billion—come from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Another $1 billion will be pulled from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. These agencies have long been targets for fiscal conservatives.
The Senate had delayed the bill for weeks over concerns about some proposed reductions. In response, the Trump administration agreed to preserve around $400 million initially marked for cuts from global HIV/AIDS programs.
Separately, a Democratic attempt in the House Rules Committee to add an amendment calling for the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents was blocked by Republicans. Instead, GOP lawmakers advanced a symbolic resolution urging transparency in the Epstein investigation.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who had the option to speak at length under chamber rules, limited his opposition remarks to a 15-minute speech on Thursday night.
