White House Official Urges More Partisan Spending Amid Senate Rescissions Pushback

The Trump administration is advancing a $9 billion rescissions package aimed at clawing back previously approved spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting, marking the first use of the rescissions budget maneuver in decades. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought has called for the appropriations process to become less bipartisan, arguing that with Republicans controlling the government, spending should be reined in without needing Democratic input. This stance has drawn strong criticism from Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called for Vought's firing and warned that such partisanship could erode Congress’ power of the purse. Senate Republicans have pushed through the clawback package despite opposition from some GOP senators, while members of the Senate Appropriations Committee expressed frustration with Vought’s dismissive comments about bipartisanship. The traditionally bipartisan appropriations process is under strain due to the GOP's narrow Senate majority, which normally requires Democratic votes to pass funding bills and avoid government shutdowns. The debate highlights growing tensions over the budget process and the balance of power in government spending decisions under President Trump's administration.