US Senate approves $9 billion in foreign aid, public broadcasting cuts

The U.S. Senate has approved President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to cut $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds, pushing the measure one step closer to final passage ahead of a looming deadline.

In a narrow 51–48 vote early on July 17, the Senate sent the legislation back to the House of Representatives for final approval before a July 18 deadline. If Congress fails to approve the rescission package by then, the funds will be spent as originally allocated under existing law, Caliber.Az reports, citing CBS.

The cuts include $8 billion in reductions to international assistance programs—primarily targeting the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports NPR, PBS, and hundreds of local radio and television stations across the country.

Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska broke party ranks to vote against the measure, citing concerns over the impact on rural broadcasting and global health programs. Vice President JD Vance, who earlier cast tie-breaking votes to advance the bill, was not needed for the final tally.

The House initially passed a slightly larger $9.4 billion version of the package last month, but the proposal faced stiff resistance in the Senate. Critics raised alarm over cuts to global health initiatives and emergency broadcasting capabilities in remote U.S. communities.

The Senate's decision followed a lengthy “vote-a-rama” on July 16, during which lawmakers rejected numerous amendments aimed at preserving foreign aid and shielding public broadcasters from budget reductions.

If the House re-approves the revised Senate version by the July 18 deadline, the proposed cuts will take effect immediately, marking a significant shift in US spending priorities at home and abroad.

By Sabina Mammadli