Senate Republicans on Tuesday moved on to President Donald Trump’s request to cancel the previously approved spending of around $9 billion, overcoming concerns from some lawmakers about what it means for poor people around the world and public radio and television stations in their hometowns.
The Senate vote was 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie.
The final Senate vote could occur as early as Wednesday. The bill will return to the House for another vote before going to Trump’s desk to sign Trump’s desk before Friday’s deadline.
Republicans thwarted the president’s demands by cutting the proposed $400 million cut to a program known as Pepfarr. The change has increased the prospects for the bill to pass. The politically popular program is believed to have saved millions of lives since its founding under then-President George W. Bush to combat HIV/AIDS.
The president is also trying to refund money for government efficiency and corporate targeted foreign aid programs for public broadcasting.
“When we have $36 trillion in debt, we have to do something to keep our spending down,” said Senate majority leader John Tune, Rs.D.
The White House tries to beat skeptics
Republicans met with Las Vauth, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, at a weekly meeting luncheon where the White House worked to address their concerns. He asked about 20 questions from the senator.
The White House campaign to win potential holdouts has been successful to some extent. Sen. Mike Round tweeted that he would vote to support the measure after working with the administration to find Green New Deal money that would be reassigned to continue grants to tribal radio stations without interruption.
Some senators are worried that cuts to public media could destroy many of the 1,500 local radio and television stations operating on federal funds. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes more than 70% of its funds to those stations.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Republican chairman of the Senate Approval Committee, said he was particularly concerned about the lack of details from the White House.
“There’s a big problem with the retirement package. No one really knows what program cuts are,” Collins said. “That’s not because we didn’t have time to consider the bill. Instead, the problem is that OMB has never provided any details that are usually part of this process.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of R-Alaska said he does not want the Senate to experience a large number of boredom.
“We are lawmakers. We should legislate,” Murkowski said. “What we’re getting now is the direction from the White House and ‘This is the priority and we want you to do it. We’ll be back with you in another round.” I don’t accept that. ”
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. , Collins, Murkowski joined Democrats to vote for the Senate that took this measure.
McConnell said he wanted to make sure he had no problem with reducing spending, but agreed with Collins that lawmakers had not had enough details from the White House.
“They want blank checks to be what they want, and I don’t think that’s appropriate,” McConnell said.
However, the majority of Republicans supported Trump’s demands.
“This bill is the first step in a long but necessary fight to sort out our country’s finances,” said Sen. Eric Schmidt of R-Mo.
Democrats warn of the outcome
Democrats warned that it would be ridiculous to expect Republicans to turn around in a few months and work with Republicans on spending measures with Republicans using their majority to cut back on the dislikes.
“It shreds the spending process,” said Sen. Angus King, an independent Maine who is conspired with Democrats. “The Approval Committee, and in fact, this agency will be the rubber stamp of what the administration wants.”
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. said tens of millions of Americans rely on local public radio and television stations for local news, weather warnings and education programs. He warned that many people could lose access to the information for the sake of rescue.
“And these cuts couldn’t come at a bad time,” Schumer said. “The floods in Texas are a reminder that rapid alerts and latest predictions can mean the difference between life and death.”
Democrats also scoffed at the motives the GOP said to take up the bill. The amount of savings is cool compared to the $3.4 trillion projected deficit over the next decade that Republicans moved when they passed Trump’s big tax and spending reduction bill two weeks ago.
“Right now, Republicans are pretending they’re worried about debt,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. “They are worried about blocking ‘Sesame Street’ because they need to close local radio stations. …The idea that it’s about balancing debt is hilarious. ”
What’s to come in the Senate
They provide enough votes to accept the bill, so in addition to the possibility of a 10-hour discussion, they also set up votes on potentially troubling revisions known as the llama vote. The House has already shown support for the president’s demands, primarily with the party’s 214-212 votes, but the Senate is amending the bill and will have to return to the House for another vote.
Republicans who vote against the measure are also faced with the prospect of causing Trump’s rage. He has issued a warning to social media sites that are directly intended for individual Senate Republicans who may be considering voting for the rescue package. He said it is important for all Republicans to comply with the bill and to refund corporations, particularly for public broadcasting.
“The Republicans who vote to allow this monster to continue broadcasting have no support or approval,” he said.
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Congressional correspondents Lisa Mascaro and staff writers Mary Claire Jaronick and Stephen Groves contributed to the report.
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