Slashing Billions from Public Broadcasting and Foreign Aid
Washington D.C. – July 18, 2025 –
The U.S. House of Representatives late Thursday night gave final approval to a sweeping package of spending cuts, known as the “Rescissions Act of 2025” (H.R. 4), which will claw back approximately $9 billion from various government programs, including significant reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid. The vote, largely along party lines, sends the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature, marking a significant victory for the administration’s fiscal conservative agenda.
Congressman Stutzman Championed the “Rescissions Act”
Among the staunch proponents of the legislation was Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-03), who cast a “Yea” vote in favor of H.R. 4. In a statement released on July 18th, Congressman Stutzman emphasized the bill’s importance in reining in government spending and returning funds to American taxpayers.
“This rescissions package is the first of many that will serve to reduce government spending and save money for taxpayers across the country,” stated Rep. Stutzman. He argued that the legislation would halt government spending on programs he deemed as furthering a “Leftist agenda” and funding “unnecessary programs overseas.” Stutzman further called for continuous efforts to address “waste, fraud, and abuse” in future spending packages, urging the administration to continue rescinding appropriated funds to spare American citizens from paying for “the policy faux pas of the Radical Left.”
Details of the $9 Billion Cut
The approved package cancels roughly $1.1 billion intended for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which is the full amount it was due to receive for the next two fiscal years. This cut will significantly impact public radio and television stations, including NPR and PBS, across the nation. The White House and Republican lawmakers have consistently argued that the public media system is politically biased and an unnecessary expense.
In addition to the public broadcasting cuts, the bill rescinds nearly $8 billion from a variety of foreign aid programs. These programs include initiatives designed to combat famine and disease, and promote global stability in numerous countries. While some initial proposals included a $400 million cut to PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), a politically popular program initiated under President George W. Bush, the Senate had amended the bill to remove this specific reduction. Nonetheless, the overall cuts to foreign aid remain substantial.
A Victory for the Administration’s Fiscal Agenda
The passage of H.R. 4 represents a significant win for the Trump administration and House Republicans, who have intensified their efforts to target institutions and programs they view as bloated or out of step with their agenda. The House passed the bill by a narrow margin of 216-213, after the Senate had approved an amended version earlier on Thursday by a vote of 51-48. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature, which is expected to finalize the rescissions before a midnight Friday deadline.
“We need to get back to fiscal sanity and this is an important step,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), echoing the sentiments of many Republicans who believe these cuts are crucial for reducing government waste and addressing the national debt.
This move marks the first time in decades that a president has successfully submitted such a comprehensive rescissions request to Congress. While some Republicans expressed discomfort with the severity of the cuts, particularly to foreign aid programs, most ultimately voted in favor, wary of opposing the President’s priorities. The administration has indicated that if this initial effort is successful, more such rescission packages could be on the horizon.
