PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: The House of Representatives has passed a rescissions package, clawing back $9.4 billion in appropriations funding for foreign aid, services for illegal immigrants, and NPR and PBS.
👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Congress, House Republicans, House Democrats, President Donald J. Trump, and the U.S. Senate.
📍 Where & When: The House passed legislation late Thursday, June 12, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) praised the rescission package, calling it “a critical step towards a more responsible and transparent government that puts the interests of American taxpayers first.”
⚠️ Impact: The rescission package is being billed as a major step in a broader effort by the Trump administration to cut government waste and significantly reduce the U.S. budget deficit.
IN FULL:
A Trump White House-backed rescissions package has passed in the House of Representatives, with the legislation aiming to cancel unspent government funds for NPR, PBS, and foreign aid. Notably, the rescission process allows for Congress to cancel unspent government funds. The Thursday evening vote concluded 214 to 212, with four House Republicans joining Democrat lawmakers in opposition to the bill.
President Donald J. Trump pushed House Republicans to back the cuts, stating on Truth Social, “Every single Republican in Congress should vote ‘YES’.” If adopted by the Senate, the package would claw back $9.4 billion in appropriated funds by Congress, permanently reducing spending. This bill’s primary provisions reduce foreign aid for climate projects, funding for services offered to illegal immigrants, and funding for NPR and PBS.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) praised the rescission package, calling it “a critical step towards a more responsible and transparent government that puts the interests of American taxpayers first.” The Speaker noted that the bill was a “manifestation of the DOGE effort,” referring to the Department of Government Efficiency formerly fronted by Elon Musk, and said it would “ensure greater accountability in government going forward.”
“There is no reason for any media organization to be singled out to receive federal funds,” said Johnson. “Especially those who appear to have so little regard for the truth.”
The package cuts $8.3 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), among other international assistance programs. Additional cuts include slashing $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS and NPR. Defending the cuts, the Trump White House contends the public broadcasters have abused taxpayer dollars to “spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as news.”
Next, the rescissions package will head to the Senate, where it is expected to be adopted by the Republican majority in the chamber. Congress has 45 days to pass the cuts, with the clock having started on June 3, when the rescission request was sent from the White House.
