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Legislative bills

U.S. Senate Passes Rescissions Bill with Deep Cuts to Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a leading advocate of cuts to foreign aid and a key member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, has praised the cuts made through the rescissions bill. The bill, requested by President Donald Trump's administration, aims to claw back federal funding that had previously been approved, including provisions targeted by Elon Musk's DOGE service earlier in 2025. The Iowa Republican has regularly criticized USAID spending and supported the DOGE cuts and the closure of the foreign aid agency.

Key Takeaways:

  • The rescissions bill includes cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) totaling $9 billion, effectively canceling federal funding for foreign aid efforts and public broadcasting.
  • Sen. Joni Ernst has long been a critic of USAID spending and supported the cuts made through the bill, citing wasteful spending on programs such as a Sesame Street program for Iraq and promoting tourism in Lebanon.
  • The bill also cancels $1.1 billion in taxpayer support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local news stations throughout the country.
  • Ernst argued that public broadcast outlets, such as NPR and PBS, have a right to free speech, but not the right to force taxpayers to fund their "partisan propaganda."
  • Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), proposed amendments to change the provisions related to foreign aid and public broadcasting, but these amendments were not adopted.
  • The Senate passed the bill in a 51-48 vote, largely along party lines, with Ernst and Sen. Chuck Grassley voting in support.
  • The bill must now pass the U.S. House of Representatives before it can reach President Trump's desk.

Statistics:

  • The rescissions bill aims to remove $9 billion in previously approved funding for foreign aid efforts and public broadcasting.
  • The bill cancels $1.1 billion in taxpayer support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting over the next two fiscal years.
  • Sen. Joni Ernst highlighted examples of questionable USAID spending, including:

+ $20 million for producing a Sesame Street program for Iraq

+ $2 million for promoting tourism in Lebanon

+ $800,000 to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, a facility associated with the potential origin of COVID-19

  • The Senate passed the bill with a 51-48 vote.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst spoke on the U.S. Senate floor in support of the rescissions bill July 16, 2025..."
  • "The Iowa Republican has regularly criticized USAID spending and supported the DOGE cuts and the (https://healthpolicy-watch.news/usaid-shut-down-lancet-millions-deaths/) closure of the foreign aid agency."
  • "In remarks on the Senate floor, Ernst, who leads the DOGE Caucus, said the cuts were eliminating wasteful spending going to programs which she said should not have received money from the U.S. government through USAID..."
  • "Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, said while speaking on a proposed amendment striking the cut of $496 million in international disaster assistance..."
  • "It must pass the U.S. House before a deadline Friday before it could make it to Trump's desk."

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