Congress has moved to reduce foreign aid by $9 billion following a narrow Senate vote on March 14, 2024. In a closely contested session that ended with a 51-48 outcome, lawmakers approved a rescission bill requested by the White House, paving the way for significant budget cuts. This decision marks a substantial shift from previous attempts during former President Donald Trump’s first term, reflecting a renewed push for fiscal restraint.
The bill now returns to the House of Representatives, where a similar version was narrowly passed in June. Only two Republicans, Senators Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, opposed the measure, aligning with Democratic colleagues. The Senate’s late-night voting session lasted over 12 hours, culminating in a vote shortly after 02:00, which represents a major victory for President Trump and his administration.
Despite complaints from centrist Republicans regarding the lack of specific details about which programs would be affected, the bill garnered enough support due to concessions made, including a carveout for AIDS prevention funding. The urgency of the matter is underscored by the impending deadline; the House must act by March 15, 2024, to pass the Senate version or risk the White House being compelled to allocate the funds under the Impoundment Control Act.
Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has already initiated procedural measures to facilitate a same-day vote, aiming to maintain party unity similar to the June vote. The rescission bill not only seeks to cut funding but also targets $1.1 billion earmarked for public broadcasters such as NPR and PBS. This move is the first step in what the White House hopes will be a series of requests aimed at eliminating what they describe as “waste, fraud, and abuse” in foreign aid.
Democrats have condemned these cuts, arguing that they undermine critical funding that supports global health initiatives and could diminish America’s standing in international relations. Conversely, Republicans contend that the funds in question, particularly those related to grants for transgender rights and climate initiatives, deviate from the intended purpose of foreign aid.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York criticized the vote, describing it as a “short-circuiting of the appropriations process.” He has cautioned that such rescissions could complicate bipartisan negotiations necessary to prevent a government shutdown in September. On the Republican side, Collins and other senior appropriators have raised concerns about the administration’s spending tactics, particularly the interest of Russ Vought, the White House budget chief, in employing “pocket rescissions” to bypass Senate approval.
Vought, known for his previous collaborations with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has characterized the recent vote as a test case for future budget reductions. However, he has refrained from committing to additional requests during a hearing before the Appropriations Committee set for June. The Senate’s decision to approve the rescission, which eliminated $400 million in AIDS prevention funding from the initial $9.4 billion request, illustrates the complexities of balancing fiscal goals with social responsibility.
The Senate’s action means the House faces a critical decision with limited options, as amendments to the rescission are off the table. The unexpected hospitalization of Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota provided Republicans with additional leverage in securing the necessary votes, allowing the bill to pass without the need for a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.
As the Senate prepares to consider its twelve annual appropriations bills, the implications of this vote will continue to unfold. The ongoing debate over the future of foreign aid funding is set to feature prominently, especially as both parties seek to establish their positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.