House approves Trump request to cut US$9.4 billion funding for foreign aid, broadcasting
The US House of Representatives narrowly voted on Thursday to cut about US$9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress as US President Donald Trump's administration looks to follow through on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) when it was overseen by Elon Musk.
The package targets foreign aid programmes and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service as well as thousands of public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214-212.
Republicans are characterising the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States' standing in the world and will lead to needless deaths.
'Cruelty is the point,' Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said of the proposed spending cuts.
Massachusetts congressman Jim McGovern said the foreign aid is a tool that prevents conflict and promotes stability, but the measure before the House takes that tool away.
'These cuts will lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, devastating the most vulnerable in the world,' McGovern said.
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