Republican disagreements over Trump's proposed DOGE reductions will become the main focus as the deadline approaches
In a critical turn of events, the Senate is set to vote on President Donald Trump's $9.4 billion rescissions package, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives. The package, aimed at cutting foreign aid ($8.3 billion) and public broadcasting ($1.1 billion, including NPR and PBS), is now in the Senate's hands for consideration.
However, the road ahead is fraught with internal divisions within the Republican party. Some GOP senators have expressed concerns about the impact of these cuts on vital programmes, such as HIV/AIDS prevention and rural public radio stations, indicating potential resistance or efforts to amend the package in the Senate.
The White House, led by OMB Director Russell Vought, is actively lobbying senators to pass the cuts as is, framing it as a test of seriousness about fiscal restraint and signalling willingness to continue using executive tools if Congress fails to codify the cuts. President Trump himself has turned support for these cuts, especially the public broadcasting defunding, into a loyalty test for Republicans, publicly threatening to withhold endorsements from any party members who fail to back the package.
The Trump administration’s spending cuts come amidst a broader context of fiscal challenges. The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is projected to add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over 2025-2034, despite the emphasis on spending cuts. Furthermore, despite the rescission efforts, federal spending outlays actually increased by $144 billion in the first half of 2025 versus the previous year, leading some analysts to question the effectiveness of these cuts in reducing the deficit.
Opposition and concern from Democrats and some Republicans about the potential consequences of these cuts, including weakening public health initiatives, disaster aid, and rural broadcasting services, have also been voiced.
GOP hardliners do not want changes to the White House's package of cuts, while Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins is working to adjust the White House's package of cuts, particularly those affecting global health programmes like PEPFAR and maternal and child health programmes.
Trump's team, led by budget chief Russ Vought, plans to use rescissions repeatedly in his second term to rein in Congress' spending without Democratic approval. Senate Majority Leader Schumer has suggested that Trump's attempt to renege on a bipartisan agreement could lead to a breakdown in talks and a potential government shutdown.
The package needs to pass both the Senate and the House by July 16, under an obscure presidential budget law. President Donald Trump is applying pressure on his party to deliver on these cuts, and House GOP leaders expect to pass the cuts by Friday, with Trump's support being crucial. The deadline for signing these cuts into law is July 18.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin expressed displeasure at the possibility of changes to the White House's cuts, while Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota opposes the current package due to its effects on local radio stations.
The political battle over these spending cuts is far from over, with the Senate vote expected to be a significant test of the Republican party's unity and commitment to fiscal discipline. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for federal spending and the relationship between the White House and Congress.
- The Senate vote on President Donald Trump's $9.4 billion rescissions package, which includes cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting, is anticipated to reveal the Republican party's division on policy-and-legislation regarding these cuts.
- The political battle over these spending cuts, particularly the potential restoration of global health programs and rural public radio stations within the package, will serve as a test for the Senate's commitment to politics of fiscal discipline, potentially having significant implications for federal spending and the relationship between the White House and Congress.
