Elon Musk's federal funding, amounting to $9 billion, is given the green light by the US Senate
In a vote that extended past midnight, the Senate passed a rare legislative proposal known as the 2025 rescissions package. The bill, aimed at reducing federal spending by rescinding previously approved funds, was initiated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump administration.
The package primarily targets foreign aid and public broadcasting, areas often considered politically vulnerable for cuts by Republican lawmakers. Notably, it seeks to recover approximately $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), as well as over 1,500 local radio and television stations.
The bill also aims to cut around $8 billion in foreign aid, with much of it targeted at USAID, one of DOGE's initial targets. This reduction in U.S. commitment to international assistance has raised concerns among some, particularly as the package seeks to save an estimated 26 million lives through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), according to moderate Republican senators.
The Senate vote saw a narrow margin of 51-48, with every Democrat and Independent senator present voting against the bill. Only two Republicans, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, opposed the cuts. This marks a rare instance of a rescissions bill advancing through Congress, the last time such a measure passing being decades ago.
The political divide over budget priorities was evident in the vote, with Democrats opposing the cuts and Republicans pushing for fiscal austerity, albeit in a limited manner. The involvement of Elon Musk's DOGE in recommending these cuts has been controversial, with some critics arguing that the department's influence could undermine government functions.
The package now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Notably, the House's version of the text sought to eliminate $400 million in funding allocated to health programs, including PEPFAR. However, the tight deadline for lawmakers to approve the cuts by Friday, as previously mentioned, was not repeated in the Senate vote.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker criticized the bill, stating it undermines the Constitution and the role of Congress, and calls for bipartisan cooperation to improve budgets. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, on the other hand, declared the bill consistent with Trump's promises to cut spending.
Democrats argue that cutting funding for PBS and NPR will not significantly reduce the deficit, but rather dismantle a trusted source of information for millions of Americans. The actual fiscal impact of these cuts remains relatively small compared to the vast U.S. federal budget.
The passage of the 2025 rescissions package underscores the challenges in implementing significant budget cuts in the U.S., as even modest reductions like these faced substantial opposition. The successful vote marks the beginning of a potential series of packages codifying the spending cuts made by DOGE, as the Trump administration continues to push for fiscal austerity.
- The bill, originating from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump administration, targets areas like foreign aid and public broadcasting for cuts, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), as well as over 1,500 local radio and television stations.
- The Senate vote saw a political divide over budget priorities, with Democrats opposing cuts in areas like health programs and foreign aid, particularly funding allocated to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), while Republicans pushed for fiscal austerity.
- The passage of the 2025 rescissions package, which aims to save money through reductions in federal spending, has sparked controversy over the potential impact on health, science, and general news, as well as the role of Elon Musk's DOGE in recommending these cuts and its potential influence on government functions.
