This week, Vice President J.D. Vance cast two tie-breaking votes in the evenly divided Senate (50–50), facilitating the debate on a contentious rescissions package amounting to $9.4 billion. This bill, which has the backing of President Trump’s administration, aims to reverse previously sanctioned federal expenditures.
The package proposes $8.3 billion in reductions to foreign aid, primarily affecting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), along with $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds NPR, PBS, and local media outlets.
Moderate Republican senators Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins aligned with Democrats to oppose the initial votes, raising concerns regarding transparency and the potential repercussions on emergency broadcasting, rural media, and global health initiatives.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune played a crucial role in negotiating significant amendments, which preserved $400 million from cuts to PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and ensured continued funding for maternal health, nutrition, and specific nations such as Jordan and Egypt.
Following extensive debate during the “vote-a-rama,” the amended bill was approved by the Senate with a vote of 51–48. It is now set to return to the House, which must ratify it by Friday at midnight. Should it be enacted into law, the rescinded funds will either remain withheld or revert to their original allocations.
Proponents of the measure contend that it represents a move towards fiscal responsibility, aiming to curtail what they perceive as excessive or partisan expenditures. Conversely, critics caution that it undermines congressional authority and jeopardizes essential public services both domestically and internationally.
Collins and Murkowski have voiced particular apprehension regarding the CPB, which is responsible for providing emergency communications and educational programming to underserved populations. Democrats assert that the proposed cuts disproportionately impact health and humanitarian initiatives.
As the House gears up for a vote, the bill continues to be a source of significant division, mirroring the ongoing conflict between efforts to reduce costs and the necessity of maintaining vital programs. The result of this vote could influence future budget discussions and federal funding priorities.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Vice President J.D. Vance cast a crucial tie-breaking vote in the Senate this week, propelling forward a $9 billion rescissions package requested by President Donald Trump. The move marks a significant victory for the administration’s efforts to claw back previously approved federal spending, overcoming bipartisan resistance in a narrowly divided chamber.
On Tuesday, July 15, the Senate voted 50-50 on the motion to proceed with H.R. 4, the Rescission Act of 2025. Vice President Vance’s vote was essential to break the deadlock, allowing the bill to advance to the “vote-a-rama” stage – a lengthy session where senators can propose numerous amendments. Vance again cast tie-breaking votes on Wednesday as procedural hurdles continued, underscoring the razor-thin margin for the administration’s legislative priorities.
The rescissions package, originally proposed at $9.4 billion by President Trump in early June, targets funds that Congress had previously appropriated but that federal agencies have not yet formally obligated. The primary targets for cuts include roughly $8 billion from foreign assistance programs, notably the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and approximately $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports public radio and television stations like NPR and PBS.
Ahead of the Senate vote, the package saw a slight reduction from its initial $9.4 billion to $9 billion, as Republicans removed a controversial $400 million cut to the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This adjustment was made to address concerns from several Republican senators, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME), who expressed reservations about the cuts to vital global health programs.
The President’s request for these rescissions triggered a 45-day clock, requiring Congress to act before July 18, or the funds would have to be released. The House of Representatives previously passed an earlier version of H.R. 4 by a narrow 214-212 vote in June. However, because the Senate has now modified the package, it must be sent back to the House for another vote. House Republicans have reportedly activated a fast-track power to expedite this final House vote.
The vote-a-rama continued into late Wednesday and early Thursday morning, with senators proposing and voting on numerous amendments. Despite the challenges, the overall advancement of the bill represents a win for President Trump, who has pushed aggressively for these spending cuts.
The effort has faced strong opposition from Democrats and some moderate Republicans who argue that rescinding already-appropriated funds undermines Congress’s spending power and could harm critical programs. Senators like Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) were among the Republicans who voted against advancing the legislation, reflecting concerns over the impact on foreign aid and public broadcasting.
The successful advancement of the rescissions package through the Senate with Vice President Vance’s decisive intervention sets the stage for a final sprint to get the bill to President Trump’s desk before the Friday deadline, marking a significant step in the administration’s fiscal agenda.
