Republicans largely backed the foreign aid cuts, some opposed a $400 million reduction in PEPFAR.
The House voted 214-212 on Thursday to pass a $9.4 billion rescissions package, cutting $8.3 billion from foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
The vote followed internal GOP divisions, with four Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition. Rep. Nick LaLota flipped from “no” to “yes” after pressure from party leaders. Critics like Rep. Mark Amodei warned that eliminating CPB funding would harm rural outlets. “I’m looking for something that acknowledges that local stations are important,” he said.
Sen. Dan Sullivan echoed similar concerns, saying rural radio stations “play a really important role.” While Republicans largely backed the foreign aid cuts, some opposed a $400 million reduction in PEPFAR. Sen. Susan Collins defended the program, calling it “extremely successful.”
The White House argued the PEPFAR cut would not impact medical services. The package, part of President Trump’s DOGE initiative, now moves to the Senate.
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