WASHINGTON – In a significant victory for the White House, the Senate narrowly approved a $9 billion package of spending cuts early Thursday morning, targeting funds previously allocated for public broadcasting and foreign aid. The measure, which was requested by President Donald Trump, now heads to the House, where it is expected to pass along party lines later today.
The passage marks the first time in decades that a president has successfully submitted a rescissions request to Congress, a process that allows the executive branch to claw back already appropriated funding. The White House has openly described this package as a “test case,” signaling that if it is successful, more and larger spending cut requests will follow.
The bill passed the Senate on a near party-line vote of 51-48, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition. The vote followed a contentious debate that highlighted a deep divide not only between the two parties but also over the constitutional power of the purse.
Opponents voiced alarm not just about the specific cuts to programs they argue are vital, but about the broader precedent the move sets. They contend that allowing the president to retroactively cancel funding that was approved by Congress on a bipartisan basis effectively cedes Congress’s fundamental spending authority to the executive branch.
The successful Senate vote is a major step for President Trump, who has long sought to reduce federal spending on programs he views as non-essential. The White House is expected to tout the passage as a key victory in its effort to impose fiscal discipline on Washington.
