Senators in the United States greenlight a whopping $9 billion worth of federal cuts proposed by Elon Musk
In a significant political move, the US Senate has approved a spending cuts package proposed by President Donald Trump, marking a major shift in the nation's foreign policy and domestic public media landscape. The vote, which took place on July 17, 2025, saw a narrow margin of 51-48, with two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), joining Democrats in opposition.
The legislation, if enacted, will result in the cancellation of over $9 billion in funding for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting. The bill earmarks approximately $8 billion in cuts to foreign assistance programs, including those run by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and about $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports public radio and television stations such as NPR and PBS.
The approval of the spending cuts package comes in the aftermath of Elon Musk's acrimonious exit from the government and is consistent with President Trump's promises to cut spending, according to South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. However, Senator Graham, despite being a supporter of foreign aid, expressed concerns about funding for liberal programs disconnected from the purpose of the aid package.
The Senate's approval of the spending cuts package is a reflection of the current political climate in the United States, particularly within the Republican-led Senate. The passage was marked by significant GOP divisions, with questions about White House transparency and concerns from some Republicans regarding cuts to global health and community broadcasting.
The bill now goes back to the House for final approval. Lawmakers are up against the clock, as Congress must approve the cuts by Friday or the White House must spend the cash as originally intended. If not enacted by the end of the week, the previously appropriated funds would have to be spent as planned by Congress.
The debate over these spending cuts reflects ongoing ideological battles within the Republican Party over the size and priorities of federal spending, as well as broader disagreements between the parties on the role of government in supporting international aid and public media. The outcome could also set a precedent for future efforts to rescind previously appropriated funds, reshaping the annual budgeting process and executive-congressional dynamics over federal expenditures.
The implications of these cuts are far-reaching. Critics argue that the proposed cuts to foreign assistance, including global health programs, could undermine U.S. influence and partnerships abroad, particularly in areas reliant on development aid and humanitarian support. A $1 billion cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting threatens the financial viability of public radio and television stations, including NPR and PBS. These organizations provide critical educational programming, local news, and cultural content, particularly in underserved communities.
Advocates for public media warn that such cuts would disproportionately impact rural and low-income areas that depend heavily on these services. Defunding programs like PEPFAR, which has saved an estimated 26 million lives, was seen as a nonstarter among a handful of moderate Republican senators, and the proposal was dropped.
The Senate's approval of President Trump’s spending cuts package is seen as the first test of how easily lawmakers can pass savings sought by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The legislation to claw back money already approved by Congress, known as a "rescissions package", is extremely rare and no such measure has passed in decades. The final outcome of this bill will shape the future of federal spending and the role of government in supporting international aid and public media.
The spending cuts package, approved by the Senate, will significantly impact both the business sector and finance, as over $9 billion in funding for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting are set to be cancelled. This decision, if enacted, may have far-reaching consequences in the general news arena, with potential implications for global health programs, public radio and television stations, and underserved communities.
The future of federal spending and the role of government in supporting international aid and public media will be shaped by the final outcome of this bill, which could set a precedent for future efforts to rescind previously appropriated funds and reshape the annual budgeting process.
