Senate Republicans Will Test Ministry of Government Efficiency Spending cuts this week aim to pass a request from President Donald Trump to return $9.4 billion in public media and foreign aid spending.
Senate Democrats are trying to kill the measure, but it requires some Republicans to feel uncomfortable with the president’s efforts to join them.
Trump’s Republican administration is adopting tools that are rarely used to enable the president to Send a request Cancel the previously approved funding bureau. The request triggers a 45-day clock, which is frozen according to the clock. If Congress did not take action during that period, then spending would stand. That clock was Friday.
The house has been Approved Trump’s request In the votes of most parties with 214-212. There is little time in the Senate to beat the deadline for presidential signatures. If the Senators make changes to the legislation, which will add more uncertainty to the outcome, a House vote will be required.
This is a careful study of this week’s debate.
Public media on the chapter
Trump has asked lawmakers to Public Broadcasting Corporationwhich represents the full amount received in the next two budget years.
The White House said the public media system is politically biased and unnecessary expenses.
The company distributed more than two-thirds of its funds to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, and the majority of the rest was allocated to the national public radio stations and public broadcast systems to support national programming.
The potential impact of the cuts in the local pubic media station has attracted attention on both sides of the political aisle.
RSS D. Senator Mike Rounds said he was concerned about how the withdrawal would attack radio stations and broadcast them to Native Americans in his state. He said the vast majority of their funds came from the federal government.
“They are not political in nature,” the round said of the station. “This is the only way to really communicate in rural areas of our state and in many other states.”
Senator Lisa Merkowski (R-Ala).
To justify spending cuts, the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have listed certain activities they disagree with to describe funds from various programs as waste.
exist Recent testimonythe Office of Director of Management and Budget, Russ involved criticism aimed at promoting the program Diversity, equity and inclusion. He said NPR aired a 2022 show titled “‘Queer Ducks’ can teach teens about sexual behavior in the animal kingdom.” He also quoted CNN’s special city hall on racism in 2020 with Sesame Street.
Targeting humanitarian aid
As part of the plan, Trump asked lawmakers to withdraw about $8.3 billion in foreign aid programs, aiming to fight famine and disease and promote global stability.
In the target:
– $900 million is used to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases and strengthen testing systems to prevent a wider epidemic.
– A program to provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation and home unity for those forced to flee their own country, for $800 million.
– US$4.15 billion for two plans to promote economic and democratic institutions in developing and strategic countries.
– $496 million to provide humanitarian assistance, such as food, water and health care for countries hit by natural disasters and conflict.
Some health-cutting targets a program called Pepfar, Republican President George W. Bush began fighting HIV/AIDS in developing countries. The plan saved 26 million lives and gained bipartisan support.
On Pepfar, Vought told the senator: “These cuts are surgical procedures that specifically retain life-saving aid.” But many lawmakers are wary, saying they have not seen details about where the government is going to cut.
The government also said some cuts, such as the elimination of funding to UNICEF, would encourage international organizations to be more efficient and seek donations from other countries, “putting American taxpayers first.”
U.S. leaders often argue that helping other countries through “soft power” is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing.
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky).
“In a critical corner of the world, rather than creating efficiency, it creates a vacuum for opponents like China,” McConnell told Vought.
Trump’s weight
The president has issued a warning on his social media site that targets Senate Republicans directly, who may be considering voting against cuts.
He said all Republicans must comply with the bill, especially by providing funds for public broadcasts to companies.
“Any Republican who votes for this monster to continue broadcasting will not get my support or approval,” he said.
For individual Republicans seeking reelection, Trump’s prospect of struggling to beat them is a reason for the pause, possibly a sign of a shaky package.
Senator Tom Tillis (RN.C.) chose to announce that he will Not seeking re-election Recently, the president called on the main challenger of the Senator when he voted not to advance Trump’s massive scale Tax and expenditure cut bills.
Bypass
Spending bills before the 100-member Senate almost always requires a bipartisan buy to pass. That’s because the bill requires 60 votes to overcome for shrinkage and progress. But this week’s efforts are different.
Congress established a process when Republican Richard Nixon took office as president quickly considered a request to backfire off previously approved spending authorities. Under these procedures, the Senate only needs a simple majority to push the president’s demands into the final vote.
This is a move that is rarely hired. In 1992, Republican President George HW Bush had some success in withdrawing his request, although the final bill included some cuts requested by the president, many of whom did not. trump card Proposed 38 retirements In 2018, the packaging was parked in the Senate.
If the senator votes to enforce the bill, it will set potential in a 10-hour debate and put in many potentially tricky amendments in a series of votes known as the vote.
Democrats see presidential demands as erosion Senate litigation. They warn that it would be ridiculous to hope that Republicans will take bipartisan spending measures with Republican lawmakers if they turn around in a few months and use their majority to cut parts they don’t like.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer sent a stern warning in a letter to colleagues: “How Republicans answer questions about cancellations and other upcoming questions will play a role in Congress, the legislative branch and, more importantly, our country has a significant impact on Congress,” Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Rs.d., noted the warning.
“I’m disappointed to see the Democratic leader secretly threatening to shut down the government in his recent letter from his dear colleague,” Thun said.
The Trump administration compared the first cancellation plan to a test case and said there might be more if Congress continues to move forward.
