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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's conservative allies warn Congress faces critical 'test' with $9.4B spending cut proposal
Some of the White House's conservative House allies say they're interpreting the upcoming vote on President Donald Trump's $9.4 billion spending cut proposal as a "test" of what Congress can achieve in terms of rolling back federal funding. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said he would not speak for members of the Trump administration but added, "I do think it is a test." "And I think this is going to demonstrate whether Congress has the fortitude to do what they always say they'll do," Roy said. "Cut the minimal amount of spending – $9 billion, NPR, PBS, things you complain about for a long time, or are they going to go back into their parochial politics?" House GOP leaders unveiled legislation seeking to codify Trump's spending cut request, known as a rescissions package, on Friday. It's expected to get a House-wide vote sometime next week. Meet The Trump-picked Lawmakers Giving Speaker Johnson A Full House Gop Conference "The rescissions request sent to Congress by the Trump Administration takes the federal government in a new direction where we actually cut waste, fraud, and abuse and hold agencies accountable to the American people," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said in a statement introducing the bill. Read On The Fox News App The legislation would claw back funding that Congress already appropriated to PBS, NPR, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – cuts outlined by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) earlier this year. And while several Republican leaders and officials have already said they expect to see more rescissions requests down the line, some people who spoke with Fox News Digital believe the White House is watching how Congress handles this first package before deciding on next steps. "You're dead right," Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital when asked if the rescissions package was a test. "I think that it's a test case – if we can't get that…then we're not serious about cutting the budget." A rescissions package only needs simple majorities in the House and Senate to pass. But Republicans in both chambers have perilously slim majorities that afford them few defections. Republicans are also racing the clock – a rescissions package has 45 days to be considered otherwise it is considered rejected and the funding reinstated. Mike Johnson, Donald Trump Get 'Big, 'Beautiful' Win As Budget Passes House Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, did not directly say whether he viewed the spending cuts as a test but dismissed any potential concerns. "This is very low-hanging fruit, and I don't anticipate any problems," Gooden told Fox News Digital. "I've heard a few comments in the media, but I don't think they're serious comments. If someone on the Republican side can make a case for PBS, but they won't take a tough vote against illegal immigration, then we've got a lot of problems." Paul Winfree, president and CEO of the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), told Fox News Digital last week, "This first rescissions package from President Trump is a test as to whether Congress has the ability to deliver on his mandate by canceling wasteful spending through a filibuster-proof process." "If they can't then it's a signal for the president to turn up the dial with other tools at his disposal," Winfree, who served as Director of Budget Policy in the first Trump administration, said. Both Roy and Norman suggested a process known as "pocket rescissions" could be at least one backup plan – and one that Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought has floated himself. "Pocket rescissions" essentially would mean the White House introduces its spending cut proposal less than 45 days before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. In theory, it would run out the clock on those funds and allow them to expire whether Congress acted or not. Vought told reporters after meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Monday that he wanted to "see if it passes" but was "open" to further rescissions packages. "We want to send up general rescissions bills, to use the process if it's appropriate, to get them through the House and the Senate," Vought said. "We also have pocket rescissions, which you've begun to hear me talk a lot about, to be able to use the end of the fiscal year to send up a similar rescissions, and have the funds expire. So there's a lot of things that we're looking at." Still, some moderate Republicans may chafe at the conservative spending cuts. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., refused to comment on whether he'd support the legislation before seeing the details but alluded to some concerns. "Certainly I'm giving you a non-answer right now until I read the details," Bacon said. "It does bother me because I have a great rapport with Nebraska Public Radio and TV. I think they've been great to work with, and so that would be one I hope they don't put in." He also raised concerns about some specific USAID programs, including critical investments to fight Ebola and HIV in Africa. The legislation is expected to come before the House Rules Committee, the final gatekeeper before most legislation sees a House-wide vote, on Tuesday afternoon. It's separate from Trump's "one big, beautiful bill," a broad piece of legislation advancing the president's tax, energy, and immigration agenda through the budget reconciliation article source: Trump's conservative allies warn Congress faces critical 'test' with $9.4B spending cut proposal
Fox News
3 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Trump's conservative allies warn Congress faces critical 'test' with $9.4B spending cut proposal
Some of the White House's conservative House allies say they're interpreting the upcoming vote on President Donald Trump's $9.4 billion spending cut proposal as a "test" of what Congress can achieve in terms of rolling back federal funding. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said he would not speak for members of the Trump administration but added, "I do think it is a test." "And I think this is going to demonstrate whether Congress has the fortitude to do what they always say they'll do," Roy said. "Cut the minimal amount of spending – $9 billion, NPR, PBS, things you complain about for a long time, or are they going to go back into their parochial politics?" House GOP leaders unveiled legislation seeking to codify Trump's spending cut request, known as a rescissions package, on Friday. It's expected to get a House-wide vote sometime next week. "The rescissions request sent to Congress by the Trump Administration takes the federal government in a new direction where we actually cut waste, fraud, and abuse and hold agencies accountable to the American people," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said in a statement introducing the bill. The legislation would claw back funding that Congress already appropriated to PBS, NPR, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – cuts outlined by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) earlier this year. And while several Republican leaders and officials have already said they expect to see more rescissions requests down the line, some people who spoke with Fox News Digital believe the White House is watching how Congress handles this first package before deciding on next steps. "You're dead right," Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital when asked if the rescissions package was a test. "I think that it's a test case – if we can't get that…then we're not serious about cutting the budget." A rescissions package only needs simple majorities in the House and Senate to pass. But Republicans in both chambers have perilously slim majorities that afford them few defections. Republicans are also racing the clock – a rescissions package has 45 days to be considered otherwise it is considered rejected and the funding reinstated. Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, did not directly say whether he viewed the spending cuts as a test but dismissed any potential concerns. "This is very low-hanging fruit, and I don't anticipate any problems," Gooden told Fox News Digital. "I've heard a few comments in the media, but I don't think they're serious comments. If someone on the Republican side can make a case for PBS, but they won't take a tough vote against illegal immigration, then we've got a lot of problems." Paul Winfree, president and CEO of the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), told Fox News Digital last week, "This first rescissions package from President Trump is a test as to whether Congress has the ability to deliver on his mandate by canceling wasteful spending through a filibuster-proof process." "If they can't then it's a signal for the president to turn up the dial with other tools at his disposal," Winfree, who served as Director of Budget Policy in the first Trump administration, said. Both Roy and Norman suggested a process known as "pocket rescissions" could be at least one backup plan – and one that Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought has floated himself. "Pocket rescissions" essentially would mean the White House introduces its spending cut proposal less than 45 days before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. In theory, it would run out the clock on those funds and allow them to expire whether Congress acted or not. Vought told reporters after meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Monday that he wanted to "see if it passes" but was "open" to further rescissions packages. "We want to send up general rescissions bills, to use the process if it's appropriate, to get them through the House and the Senate," Vought said. "We also have pocket rescissions, which you've begun to hear me talk a lot about, to be able to use the end of the fiscal year to send up a similar rescissions, and have the funds expire. So there's a lot of things that we're looking at." Still, some moderate Republicans may chafe at the conservative spending cuts. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., refused to comment on whether he'd support the legislation before seeing the details but alluded to some concerns. "Certainly I'm giving you a non-answer right now until I read the details," Bacon said. "It does bother me because I have a great rapport with Nebraska Public Radio and TV. I think they've been great to work with, and so that would be one I hope they don't put in." He also raised concerns about some specific USAID programs, including critical investments to fight Ebola and HIV in Africa. The legislation is expected to come before the House Rules Committee, the final gatekeeper before most legislation sees a House-wide vote, on Tuesday afternoon. It's separate from Trump's "one big, beautiful bill," a broad piece of legislation advancing the president's tax, energy, and immigration agenda through the budget reconciliation process.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Republicans Forced to Do Damage Control, Calm Down Lawmakers After Elon Musk Slams 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Supporters: Report
Leaders of the Republican Party are scrambling to settle other party members after billionaire Elon Musk launched a scathing criticism of the Trump-backed GOP spending bill. Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are attempting to quell uncertainty amongst congressmen from their party caused by Musk's rebuke of the "one big, beautiful bill." Johnson attempted to reassure Republican lawmakers during a House Republican Conference which occurred behind closed doors on Wednesday, three sources who were present at the meeting told POLITICO. Furthermore, the Speaker of the House has been in contact with the Tesla CEO and has attempted to explain the reasoning behind the spending bill in an attempt to garner Musk's support. "I think he's flat wrong, and I've told him as much," Johnson said at a news conference after the meeting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that he did not expect Musk's comments to sway Senate Republicans on Wednesday. "Obviously he has some influence, got a big following on social media," he said. "But at the end of the day this is a 51-vote exercise here in the Senate, and I think it's going to be the question for our members is going to be would you prefer the alternative. And the alternative isn't a good one." Thune also stated that he had been in contact with Musk within the past few days. "There are going to be a lot of people who share commentary about this, and we just got to make sure we're doing everything we can to get our arguments out there," Thune added. During an interview, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise stated that Musk's comments did not severely impact the party's ability to raise funds or garner support, further stating that the GOP is "continuing to see fundraising goals get exceeded." "The speaker, myself, our whole team continues to exceed fundraising goals, because people know what's at stake next year," Scalise added. "And President Trump's all in, by the way, too, helping us hold the House. ... He's been our best, most effective deliverer of support." Originally published on Latin Times
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
US House plans quick action on Trump cuts to foreign aid spending
WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Wednesday they would act quickly on President Donald Trump's request to slash $9.4 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting, hoping to file a bill as soon as Thursday. "Yesterday the White House sent the rescissions package. It's the first, maybe, of many. We are now putting that in bill format. We'll file that bill, hopefully by tomorrow, and then bring it up to the floor quickly," Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told a news conference. Scalise spoke a day after Trump sent Congress his formal "rescissions" memo requesting the elimination of $9.4 billion in spending already approved by lawmakers, opening a 45-day window for lawmakers to decide whether to back Trump in overturning spending plans many of them voted for in the past. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Scalise and other Republican House leaders issued a statement encouraging House members to support the measure, saying it would eliminate wasteful spending. Presidential rescissions packages have not passed in years, because previous Congresses have not wanted to give up their constitutionally mandated control of government spending. For example, lawmakers rejected Trump's request to revoke $15 billion in spending in 2018, during his first term. However, the current Republican leaders of the House and Senate have shown little appetite for opposing Trump, even those who in the past have been strong advocates for foreign aid. The rescissions package can pass with a simple majority in both chambers, so it would not need Democratic votes. Codifying the cuts into law will lessen the chances that reductions in government spending, which have been led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this year, will face legal challenges. Trump began slashing foreign assistance programs as soon as he began his second term on January 20, in his drive to ensure all government spending is in line with his America First policies, eliminate waste and stamp out "diversity, equity and inclusion" efforts. Critics have said the deep cuts in funding by the United States, the world's largest single donor, mean people around the world will die of starvation and from preventable diseases, undermine American leadership, and leave a vacuum for adversaries like Russia and China to fill. Trump himself said last month his administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have been "devastating." The cuts include rescinding $496 million of the $4 billion Congress approved for international disaster assistance, $460 million appropriated to assist former communist countries in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia; $400 million of $6 billion for global health programs like fighting HIV/AIDS, and $142 million designated for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's fund. The package also includes $1.1 billion in cuts to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
US House plans quick action on Trump cuts to foreign aid spending
FILE PHOTO: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks with members of the media, on the day of a closed House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo WASHINGTON - Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Wednesday they would act quickly on President Donald Trump's request to slash $9.4 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting, hoping to file a bill as soon as Thursday. "Yesterday the White House sent the rescissions package. It's the first, maybe, of many. We are now putting that in bill format. We'll file that bill, hopefully by tomorrow, and then bring it up to the floor quickly," Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told a news conference. Scalise spoke a day after Trump sent Congress his formal "rescissions" memo requesting the elimination of $9.4 billion in spending already approved by lawmakers, opening a 45-day window for lawmakers to decide whether to back Trump in overturning spending plans many of them voted for in the past. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Scalise and other Republican House leaders issued a statement encouraging House members to support the measure, saying it would eliminate wasteful spending. Presidential rescissions packages have not passed in years, because previous Congresses have not wanted to give up their constitutionally mandated control of government spending. For example, lawmakers rejected Trump's request to revoke $15 billion in spending in 2018, during his first term. However, the current Republican leaders of the House and Senate have shown little appetite for opposing Trump, even those who in the past have been strong advocates for foreign aid. The rescissions package can pass with a simple majority in both chambers, so it would not need Democratic votes. Codifying the cuts into law will lessen the chances that reductions in government spending, which have been led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this year, will face legal challenges. Trump began slashing foreign assistance programs as soon as he began his second term on January 20, in his drive to ensure all government spending is in line with his America First policies, eliminate waste and stamp out "diversity, equity and inclusion" efforts. Critics have said the deep cuts in funding by the United States, the world's largest single donor, mean people around the world will die of starvation and from preventable diseases, undermine American leadership, and leave a vacuum for adversaries like Russia and China to fill. Trump himself said last month his administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have been "devastating." The cuts include rescinding $496 million of the $4 billion Congress approved for international disaster assistance, $460 million appropriated to assist former communist countries in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia; $400 million of $6 billion for global health programs like fighting HIV/AIDS, and $142 million designated for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's fund. The package also includes $1.1 billion in cuts to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
