Republicans Pass Trump’s $9bn Foreign Aid and Broadcasting Cuts in Late-Night Vote

In a narrow but significant move, Republican lawmakers early Friday approved President Donald Trump’s proposal to cancel $9 billion in federal funding, targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting. The midnight vote marks a major step in the administration’s broader plan to slash government spending.

The House of Representatives, in a 216–213 vote along party lines, gave final approval to the Senate-passed bill. With both chambers of Congress under Republican control, the measure now awaits President Trump’s signature. He hailed the vote as a historic victory for his administration’s push for fiscal discipline.

“REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED DOING THIS FOR 40 YEARS, AND FAILED… BUT NO MORE. THIS IS BIG!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the vote.

Though the cuts represent a small dent in the federal budget, Republicans argue the move fulfills Trump’s campaign promise to curtail wasteful government spending.

“President Trump and House Republicans promised fiscal responsibility and government efficiency,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson in a statement. “Today, we’re once again delivering on that promise.”

The $9 billion rollback targets international aid programs that assist nations suffering from disease, conflict, and disasters. It also includes a controversial $1.1 billion cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports more than 1,500 local radio and television stations across the country, including NPR and PBS.

Conservatives have long criticized public broadcasting for what they see as partisan bias and unnecessary federal support. However, an initial proposal to slash $400 million from a widely praised global AIDS initiative was abandoned after moderate Republicans pushed back.

While Republicans celebrated the move as a win for government efficiency, Democrats fiercely opposed the measure. They accused the GOP of violating the bipartisan budget process by clawing back already approved funding.

“Instead of protecting the health, safety and well-being of the American people, House Republicans have once again rubber stamped Donald Trump’s extreme, reckless rescissions legislation,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a joint statement with other Democratic leaders.

Democrats also warned that the vote could set the stage for deeper political gridlock. With government funding due to expire in September, they threatened to withdraw cooperation in future negotiations if more budget cuts from Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are introduced.

“Tonight’s vote… makes it clear that House Republicans are determined to march this country toward a painful government shutdown later this year,” the Democrats’ statement read.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the alarm, calling the vote “a dark day for any American who relies on public broadcasting during floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other disasters.”

Though Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, they will need at least seven Democratic votes to pass any major funding bills. The growing tension raises the risk of a budget showdown in the coming months.

Meanwhile, White House budget director Russell Vought confirmed at a Thursday event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor that another rescissions package may be submitted to Congress in the near future, signaling more cuts could be on the horizon.