Congress Approves Trump’s Funding Cuts to NPR, PBS, and Foreign Aid Programs

In Washington, the Republican-controlled House has narrowly passed a bill to cut $9 billion in previously approved spending, with a vote tally of 216-213. This measure, aimed at reducing allocations for public media and foreign aid, now heads to President Donald Trump for final approval.

The late-night vote comes just a day after the Senate approved the same measure in a 51-48 tally. Only two Republicans, Mike Turner of Ohio and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, voted against the package alongside all Democrats.

The approved cuts include $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, and an additional $8 billion from foreign aid, affecting organizations like the U.S. Agency for International Development. Although cuts to PEPFAR were initially considered, they were ultimately removed, preserving funding for the HIV/AIDS initiative established during the Bush administration.

The White House requested this funding bill, which was passed using a “rescissions” process that allowed Republicans to bypass the traditional 60-vote requirement in the Senate. Democrats uniformly opposed the bill, criticizing the cuts as damaging to America’s global presence and suggesting it represents a hypocritical move by Republicans, who have recently increased national debt by $3.3 trillion.

Patricia Harrison, the CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, expressed concern that these cuts would harm local media services across the nation, especially in rural areas. Meanwhile, the House vote was influenced by tensions within the GOP regarding separate issues such as the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s documents.

While some Republican members sought a more binding resolution, others were met with a non-binding measure that was perceived as ineffective by critics. The debate illustrates the divisions within the party as they navigate funding and accountability issues alongside public sentiment regarding crucial social services.