GOP Raises Concerns About Trump

Congressional Republicans are closing in on a major win for fiscal conservatives, moving to approve nearly $9 billion in spending cuts championed by President Trump — targeting bloated foreign aid budgets and taxpayer dollars that fund left-leaning outlets like NPR and PBS.

For the first time in decades, lawmakers are poised to use a rarely invoked budget tool — known as the rescissions process — to formally greenlight these cuts. The Senate has already passed the measure, and House Republicans are aiming to get it over the finish line before a key Friday deadline.

While most GOP lawmakers are backing President Trump’s plan to slash wasteful spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), some have voiced concerns over the level of detail provided by the administration.

“I’m surprised at how little information we were given,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). “But I’m still supporting it — the package is small compared to the larger fiscal picture, and we need to start somewhere.”

Other Republicans have raised similar questions. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) noted a lack of clarity about how specific programs would be affected — especially the $2.5 billion reduction to global development funds, which include areas like water, sanitation, and food aid.

“It’s not that we haven’t had time to review the bill,” Collins said. “It’s that the administration hasn’t provided the specifics we need to know exactly what’s being cut.”

Despite that, conservatives are praising the Trump administration for taking a stand against foreign giveaways and media slush funds, while also avoiding cuts to popular programs like PEPFAR, the AIDS relief initiative launched under President George W. Bush. Tribal public broadcasting stations have also been shielded thanks to last-minute adjustments.

The rescissions package includes about $8 billion in reductions to USAID and foreign assistance — a long-standing target for Republicans who believe American tax dollars shouldn’t bankroll other nations while our own infrastructure and veterans go underfunded. Another $1 billion is being pulled from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which critics say uses taxpayer money to promote liberal viewpoints on NPR and PBS.

DOGE, President Trump’s efficiency arm, says it has already identified over $190 billion in government savings through staff reductions, asset sales, and cancelling wasteful grants. While some of its reporting has come under media fire for inflated numbers, the push is energizing fiscal hawks who want to see Washington tighten its belt — not raise taxes.

Hardline conservatives are now urging the administration to send more rescission requests in the coming months to permanently lock in spending reductions and sidestep activist judges trying to block Trump’s budget reforms.

Still, some Republicans are urging caution. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) said he’s supporting the plan but warned that overuse of the rescissions tool could create friction within Congress.

“These are legitimate tools, and I support them,” Cole said. “But if we don’t do the homework or provide details, it can erode goodwill and hurt future efforts.”

Cole also pointed out that this current package is likely the most achievable of any future efforts — making it all the more important to get it right.

“If we’re struggling with this relatively straightforward package,” he warned, “it raises concerns about how we’ll handle more complex cuts down the road.”

Why It Matters:
This move represents a sharp pivot back to America First budgeting, cutting billions in foreign and liberal media spending. While some Republicans want more transparency, the base is rallying behind President Trump’s aggressive efforts to rein in waste and restore fiscal sanity in Washington.