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The House narrowly passed a $9.4 billion spending cut package Thursday, marking the first legislative victory for President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency’s cost-cutting initiative. The measure eliminates $8.3 billion from foreign aid programs and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.
The vote nearly failed due to opposition from moderate Republicans concerned about cuts to public broadcasting, particularly the impact on rural stations. Initially, six Republicans opposed the bill alongside all Democrats. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leadership convinced two holdouts — Representatives Nick LaLota of New York and Don Bacon of Nebraska — to switch their votes, securing passage.
Mr. Trump made a last-minute social media appeal, calling the cuts a “no-brainer” and criticizing foreign aid for “radical DEI” programs and the “Green New Scam,” while targeting NPR and PBS as “highly biased.” The final tally benefited from six absent members (four Democrats, two Republicans), lowering the majority threshold.
Four Republicans maintained their opposition: Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Michael Turner of Ohio. Rep. Amodei specifically cited concerns about devastating rural media outlets where public stations often serve as the only news sources.
The foreign aid cuts, totaling $8.3 billion, received broader Republican support, though some questioned a $400 million reduction to PEPFAR, the AIDS prevention program established under President George W. Bush. The Trump administration defended these cuts by highlighting what they consider wasteful spending, including $5.1 million for LGBTQ global movements and various international programs.
Rep. LaLota’s vote switch appeared connected to separate negotiations over the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, which Republicans from high-tax states want increased from $10,000 to $40,000 in President Trump’s broader legislative package. Rep. Bacon was reassured that future appropriations would restore funding for priorities like PBS and AIDS programs.
The measure now moves to the Senate, where Republican senators from rural states express similar concerns about public broadcasting cuts affecting local stations that provide emergency alerts and community news. Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska exemplified this “bifurcated concern” — supporting cuts to what he views as biased national programming while protecting rural stations that serve safety functions.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins opposes the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief cuts, calling the program “extremely successful.” Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri is leading the Senate effort, acknowledging member concerns while expressing confidence in eventual passage. The Senate has 25 days to act before the measure can be discharged to the floor, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicating no vote until July.
Read more: House passes $9.4 billion in DOGE cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting
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