Republicans in the Senate pushed forward with President Donald Trump's plan to eliminate $9 billion from government spending on Tuesday evening. The proposed reductions target foreign aid programs and public broadcasting initiatives that Congress had previously approved. Vice President JD Vance cast tie-breaking votes twice as lawmakers faced 50-50 splits during procedural votes. Three Republican senators opposed the measure despite party pressure to support Trump's agenda. The PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program received protection from cuts after bipartisan resistance reduced the total package size.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, and Maine's Susan Collins broke ranks with their Republican colleagues. Democrats mounted unified opposition against the spending reductions throughout the legislative process. The House previously approved similar legislation by a narrow 214-212 margin last month. Congressional leaders face a Friday deadline to complete action on the rescissions package. Trump administration officials expressed willingness to accept the modified version without PEPFAR cuts.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, and Maine's Susan Collins broke ranks with their Republican colleagues. Democrats mounted unified opposition against the spending reductions throughout the legislative process. The House previously approved similar legislation by a narrow 214-212 margin last month. Congressional leaders face a Friday deadline to complete action on the rescissions package. Trump administration officials expressed willingness to accept the modified version without PEPFAR cuts.
