House Passes $9.4B Foreign Aid, Media Cuts

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a $9.4 billion rescissions package, with $8.3 billion cut from foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. The 214-212 vote represents a win for President Donald Trump and codifies budget cuts previously advanced by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Republicans argue these cuts eliminate waste, while Democrats and some moderate Republicans warn the move could harm U.S. global standing, devastate vulnerable populations, and threaten rural and emergency broadcasting services. GOP dissent centered on concerns about local media and humanitarian programs like PEPFAR. The bill advances to the Senate and needs a simple majority to pass. Analysts emphasize that the rescinded amount remains small compared to the overall federal deficit, which is mainly attributed to other Trump administration policies.