Senate Advances $9B Spending Cuts After Vance Vote

Vice President JD Vance cast a decisive tiebreaking vote in the Senate, advancing a $9 billion DOGE-inspired spending cuts package that targets public broadcasting and foreign aid. The 51-50 vote followed opposition from three Republican senators who cited transparency and public health concerns. The trimmed package includes $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and significant reductions to the U.S. Agency for International Development, while preserving $400 million for HIV/AIDS aid. The White House has pressured Republicans to support the measure, with President Trump threatening political consequences for dissenters. The bill now proceeds to further debate and potential amendments in the Senate, with a Friday deadline to prevent a return to previous spending levels. A similar measure narrowly passed the House in June, reflecting ongoing divisions within both parties.