Senate Nears Vote on $9.4B Trump Cuts to Foreign Aid, Public Broadcasting

The Senate is preparing to vote on President Donald Trump's proposal to rescind $9.4 billion in previously approved government spending, primarily targeting $8.3 billion in foreign aid and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting, including NPR and PBS. The rescissions package, passed narrowly by the House, faces a Friday deadline and is seen as a test of Trump's influence over Senate Republicans amid growing opposition within his party, particularly regarding cuts to vital global health initiatives like PEPFAR. While the White House defends the cuts as necessary for fiscal responsibility and accuses public media of political bias, some Republicans express concern about the impact on rural stations and Native American communities reliant on federal funding. Senate Republican leaders are negotiating amid resistance to fully endorsing the proposal, with key senators like Susan Collins seeking to protect HIV/AIDS programs from cuts. Democrats warn that approving the rescissions could undermine bipartisan efforts and complicate future budget negotiations to prevent government shutdowns. The outcome remains uncertain as lawmakers balance fiscal goals with the potential consequences on crucial health and communication services.