House Approves $9.4B Funding Clawback Moves to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a bill, championed by President Trump, to rescind $9.4 billion in previously allocated funding, primarily targeting foreign aid and public media, including $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting which supports NPR and PBS. The measure passed largely along party lines with a few Republicans opposing, expressing concerns about the impact on rural constituents and access to noncommercial media, with NPR CEO warning that the cuts could force stations to go dark and increase news deserts. The funding clawback includes $8.3 billion from USAID programs, affecting global public health and disaster assistance. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future amid continued opposition from public television advocates who emphasize the importance of federal funding for educational and public safety services. President Trump framed the rescission as part of a broader effort to cut the deficit, alongside his other economic policies. Additionally, the political context includes ongoing tensions regarding control of the California National Guard, which remains temporarily under Trump's authority following a federal judge's order that has been stayed by an appeals court.