In a narrow 51-48 vote, the U.S. Senate approved a $9 billion federal spending cut backed by the Trump administration, marking a renewed focus on trimming waste and reallocating funds to essential needs. The package includes reductions in foreign aid and eliminates support for public broadcasters like NPR and PBS, aligning with calls for better fiscal discipline amid persistent deficits.

The vote revealed internal Republican divisions, with Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposition. Their concerns centered on the vague details provided by the Office of Management and Budget—particularly regarding which specific global health and development programs would be affected. The Senate’s version restored $400 million in global health funding, softening the bill to secure enough votes.

Rural lawmakers expressed strong opposition to the proposed cuts to public broadcasting, citing its crucial role in emergency communication for remote areas. Murkowski pointed to recent tsunami warnings in Alaska as evidence of its necessity. Though Collins prepared an amendment to reduce the cuts further, it was presented by Senator Mark Kelly instead. Murkowski proposed separate protections for public broadcasting funds.

While some senators viewed the cuts as a modest but necessary move toward accountability, others downplayed their impact—pointing out they represented less than 0.1% of the federal budget. Still, supporters like Senator Eric Schmitt emphasized that even small steps matter in restoring fiscal responsibility. The measure now heads back to the House for final revisions in the weeks ahead.