Senators Take On Trump’s DOGE Cuts
President Trump’s budget team is doubling down on efforts to rein in out-of-control government spending. On Wednesday, White House budget chief Russell Vought will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee as part of a major push to lock in nearly $9 billion in federal cuts, targeting foreign aid and taxpayer funding for liberal public media.
The Trump administration’s request includes $8.3 billion in cuts to foreign aid programs—including funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—alongside more than $1 billion in reductions to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which bankrolls outlets like NPR and PBS. Both organizations have come under fire from conservatives for years due to their blatant bias against traditional American values.
The plan, submitted earlier this month, starts a fast-track process that allows the GOP-led Congress to approve the rescission of funds without needing Democrat support—a key strategic advantage. With an August deadline looming, time is short for lawmakers to act.
Conservative leaders are praising this move as a bold step toward draining the swamp, restoring fiscal responsibility, and putting America First. Many of these spending reductions trace back to reforms developed under the Department of Government Efficiency, a Trump-era initiative once led by tech visionary Elon Musk. That agency was created to eliminate bloated and duplicative federal programs—and now Trump is delivering on that promise.
However, some Republicans are requesting more clarity on the fine print. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who chairs the appropriations panel, has voiced concern over potential impacts on certain global health programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Her top demand going into Wednesday’s hearing: a clear, fact-based justification.
Others in the GOP are questioning how local public media stations will fare without federal subsidies. But supporters argue it’s high time to end taxpayer handouts to media outlets that routinely attack conservative values and misrepresent President Trump’s achievements.
Predictably, Democrats are lashing out. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) slammed the proposal in prepared remarks, claiming it undermines bipartisan cooperation and sacrifices U.S. global leadership. She also defended public broadcasting, which receives hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars despite declining trust from American audiences.
Despite left-wing resistance, the House has already approved the package, and with minor adjustments expected in the Senate, many believe it will reach President Trump’s desk soon. Republicans are also advancing a separate package of Trump-backed tax cuts and spending rollbacks, aiming for a major legislative win by week’s end.
If successful, this effort would mark the first major rescission of taxpayer-approved funds in decades—a historic victory for conservatives who’ve long demanded accountability in federal spending.
