House Advances Spending Cut Bill
A significant fiscal measure from the White House advanced in the legislative process this week. The House of Representatives passed a procedural vote Wednesday on a $9.4 billion rescissions package, setting the stage for a full House vote in the coming days.
The legislation, introduced by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), stems from a proposal backed by President Donald Trump.
The package targets cuts primarily in discretionary spending, including $8.3 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and more than $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the agency responsible for federal allocations to outlets such as PBS and NPR.
The vote on Wednesday, known as a “rule vote,” passed largely along party lines and clears the way for floor debate and a final decision by the full chamber. In parallel, Republican lawmakers added provisions to accommodate procedural necessities in the Senate related to President Trump’s broader legislative agenda, known informally as the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
That broader bill seeks to make permanent the tax cuts introduced in 2017 and includes substantial new funding for border security.
It is currently being handled through the Senate’s budget reconciliation process, a legislative maneuver that reduces the threshold for passage in the Senate from 60 to 51 votes. This tactic circumvents the need for Democratic support, provided the bill meets stringent reconciliation rules.
To remain compliant with Senate rules, GOP leaders modified the legislation following the so-called “Byrd Bath”—a review process conducted by the Senate parliamentarian to ensure provisions meet reconciliation requirements. These changes aim to keep the legislative pathway viable through reconciliation’s 51-vote threshold.
The $9.4 billion rescissions package, distinct from the broader spending bill, operates through a similar mechanism.
As a formal White House request to rescind already-allocated funds within the current fiscal year, the proposal gives Congress 45 days for consideration. If no action is taken within that window, the package is automatically rejected.