House Set to Vote on $9 Billion Spending Cuts Package
In a significant move, the House of Representatives is gearing up to consider a spending cuts package amounting to $9 billion, which recently passed in the Senate. This bill, known as a rescissions package, represents cuts requested by the White House from funds that Congress had already designated for the fiscal year.
The House must act by Friday to pass this package. Rescissions allow Republicans to limit the influence of Democrats by reducing the Senate’s voting threshold from 60 votes to just 51. However, these requests need to be addressed within a 45-day window, after which any unapproved funds have to be re-obligated.
As of Thursday morning, some notable conservative representatives, including Chip Roy of Texas, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Ralph Norman of South Carolina, indicated they might support the bill. This is encouraging for House GOP leaders who are working with a very narrow three-vote margin.
Earlier this week, a group of conservatives warned the Senate against altering the original $9.4 billion spending cut proposal, though they did not threaten to vote against it. Concerns were raised concerning the Senate version, which rolled back a spending cut for an HIV/AIDS research program in Africa after input from some Republican senators.
The Senate managed to pass this bill with a vote of 51-48, just before 2 a.m. on Thursday. Senators Collins from Maine and Murkowski from Alaska voted against it.
Despite the minor changes made to the package, it’s unlikely that there will be a major revolt among conservatives, especially after receiving the White House’s approval. Both chambers’ GOP majorities are razor-thin, meaning that every vote counts as all Democrats are expected to oppose the legislation.
Roy has expressed his intent to support the bill if he fully understands the Senate’s adjustments. Burchett and Norman have also shown a favorable stance towards the proposal.
The new bill outlines cuts of approximately $8 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development and another $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.
The House Rules Committee is expected to review the bill sometime on Thursday, serving as the final step before a full House vote. If approved, the bill will then be sent to President Trump for his signature.
