Trump’s $9.4 Billion Spending Cut Proposal Faces Critical Challenge from House Moderates

The future of President Donald Trump’s $9.4 billion spending cut proposal hinges on the decisions of a select group of moderate House Republicans. This significant budget cut package is poised for a vote in the House of Representatives, with crucial implications for various federal funding programs.

Details of the Spending Cuts

Scheduled for consideration on Thursday afternoon, the proposed legislation aims to reduce funding by $8.3 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and over $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This latter cut affects crucial funding sources for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Moderate Republicans Express Concerns

At least four Republican lawmakers have publicly voiced reservations about parts of the spending package. With the House Republican leadership holding a narrow majority of just three seats, any dissent could spell disaster for the legislation’s passage.

The Key Players

The four Republicans in question include Reps. Mark Amodei from Nevada, David Valadao from California, Nicole Malliotakis from New York, and Don Bacon from Nebraska. Although they have yet to disclose their voting intentions, all participated in a procedural vote that advanced the measure for debate.

Local Outlets at Risk

Amodei, who co-chairs the Public Broadcasting Caucus, emphasized his worries extend beyond NPR and PBS. He highlighted the importance of funding for smaller local news outlets reliant on federal support, particularly in under-served areas that have limited access to information.

“These aren’t the people that are doing editorial boards that are flipping you the bird,” Amodei shared with fellow Republicans, expressing concern for the essential role these local stations play in their communities. He noted that many rural counties depend on public broadcasting funding for reliable information.

Uncertainty from Valadao

Valadao, representing a closely contested district in California, conveyed uncertainty regarding the bill’s viability. While he declined to elaborate on his doubts, the ambiguity surrounding his stance further complicates the situation.

Malliotakis Voices Process Concerns

Malliotakis met with constituents who advocated for preserving PBS funding. However, her principal concern lies with the legislative process itself. She remarked, “There are many questions regarding which specific programs will face cuts. This package presents a broad view of funding accounts. As members of Congress, we hold the power of the purse, and this proposal grants excessive discretion to the White House to unilaterally dictate funding decisions without Congressional input.”

She expressed that significant concerns exist among her peers about this lack of transparency, adding, “Whether members choose to support the bill remains a separate issue. I have my reservations, and we will see how the vote unfolds.”

Bacon’s Reassessments

Congressman Don Bacon, who represents a district won by Kamala Harris in 2024, reported feeling more optimistic about the proposal after receiving assurances that the cuts to foreign aid would not compromise essential funding for medical research.

Despite this reassurance, he refrained from sharing whether his previous concerns regarding NPR and PBS had been alleviated or how he plans to vote on the bill.

Bacon had previously indicated discomfort with the cuts, stating, “I have a strong relationship with Nebraska Public Radio and TV. Losing support for them does weigh on my mind.”

The Rescissions Package Explained

This $9.4 billion budget reduction is officially termed a rescissions package. This mechanism allows the White House to block previously approved funding that it finds objectionable. Once lawmakers receive the proposal, they have a strict timeline of 45 days to either approve it or it will be deemed rejected.

Passage requires only a simple majority in both the House and Senate. However, securing this majority is a considerable challenge given the slim margins Republicans maintain in both chambers.

Looking Ahead: A Push for Fiscal Responsibility

If approved, Republican leaders project this measure as the first of multiple rescissions packages, aimed at enacting spending cuts identified by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Although Musk initiated a quest to identify $2 trillion in federal waste, the department reported discovering approximately $180 billion in potential cuts.

During their weekly press conference, House GOP leaders defended the proposal. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bill’s importance, stating, “These are commonsense cuts. Every member in this body should support this initiative. It represents a crucial step towards restoring fiscal responsibility and tackling waste within the government.”