House Republicans Introduce Bill to Slash Billions in Refugee Aid and Public Broadcasting Funds
Bill would cancel over $8 billion in unspent foreign aid, global health, refugee support, and public broadcasting funds.
WASHINGTON — House Republicans have introduced legislation to rescind more than $8 billion in unspent federal funds, primarily targeting foreign aid programs, contributions to international organizations, and advance appropriations for public broadcasting.
The bill, titled the Rescissions Act of 2025, follows a June 3 proposal from President Donald Trump under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which allows the president to recommend the cancellation of previously approved but unobligated funds. Introduced by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the legislation would enact those proposed cuts into law.
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Among the largest rescissions are:
$2.5 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Development Assistance account
$1.65 billion from the Economic Support Fund
$900 million from Global Health Programs
$800 million from Migration and Refugee Assistance
$496 million from International Disaster Assistance
$203 million from Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities under the State Department
$125 million from the Clean Technology Fund
$437 million from International Organizations and Programs
The bill also rescinds all advance appropriations for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. CPB, which supports public television and radio stations including NPR and PBS affiliates, has long faced scrutiny from some Republicans who view it as biased or unnecessary.
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The measures are expected to draw strong opposition from D.C. officials and advocacy groups, who argue that Congress is overstepping its authorit
Additionally, smaller rescissions target agencies such as the Inter-American Foundation, the U.S. African Development Foundation, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and various democracy and crisis response programs.
Because the rescissions apply only to unobligated funds—money that was authorized but has not yet been committed to specific projects—the bill would not immediately halt ongoing operations. However, it would significantly reduce available resources for planned foreign assistance and peacekeeping efforts.
The legislation marks a notable point of agreement between the White House and congressional Republicans, though final passage is not guaranteed. The Republican-led Senate would need to approve the bill for it to reach the president’s desk.
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The rescissions were transmitted by the Trump administration under section 1012 of the Impoundment Control Act, which allows for expedited consideration in Congress. If Congress does not act within 45 days, the proposed rescissions automatically lapse.
The proposed cuts align with broader Republican goals of reducing government spending and reevaluating U.S. involvement in international institutions. While the bill contains no direct domestic spending cuts outside of public broadcasting and USAID operating expenses, critics are likely to challenge the reductions as undermining America’s global leadership and humanitarian commitments.