In a close vote on Thursday, the House approved a reduction of approximately $9.4 billion in previously authorized spending.
According to the Associated Press, the move comes as part of President Donald Trump’s administration moves forward with initiatives championed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Elon Musk’s tenure.
In a close 214-212 vote, lawmakers approved the measure aimed at cutting funding for foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps support National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting Service, and numerous public radio and television stations nationwide.
The Trump administration is utilizing a seldom-used mechanism that enables the president to formally request the cancellation of previously approved funding by Congress. This action sets off a 45-day review period during which the funds are temporarily frozen. If lawmakers do not respond within that time frame, the funding remains intact.
Republicans argue that the spending cuts are essential, describing them as a necessary move to eliminate wasteful expenditures. Meanwhile, Democrats warn that the reductions will damage the United States’ global reputation and could result in avoidable loss of life.
“Cruelty is the point,” Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) said about the proposed funding cuts.
A formal rescissions request gives the administration an advantage, as it only needs a simple majority in the 100-member Senate to pass — far fewer than the 60 votes typically required for spending bills, allowing Republicans to approve the measure without any Democratic support.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, your taxpayer dollars are no longer being wasted,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said after the vote. “Instead, they are being directed toward priorities that truly benefit the American people.”
Four Republican lawmakers — Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York, and Mike Turner of Ohio — opposed the measure, while no Democrats cast votes in favor.
Republican Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Nick LaLota of New York — changed their votes to yes at the last minute, allowing the measure to advance to the Senate.
Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, argued that taxpayer funds had been allocated to initiatives such as addressing climate change, supporting pottery classes, and expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Other Republican lawmakers pointed to similar spending examples that they claimed were uncovered by DOGE.
“Yet, my friends on the other side of the aisle would like you to believe, seriously, that if you don’t use your taxpayer dollars to fund this absurd list of projects and thousands of others I didn’t even list, that somehow people will die and our global standing in the world will crumble,” Roy said. “Well, let’s just reject this now.”
