Context:

President Donald Trump's proposal to rescind $9 billion in funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting successfully passed its initial test in the Senate, albeit facing resistance within the GOP. Adjustments were made to the package, including a $400 million carveout for HIV and AIDS prevention, reducing the total cuts from $9.4 billion to $9 billion. Despite these changes, some Senate Republicans, including Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, opposed advancing the bill due to a desire for more comprehensive legislative processes. The bill, which aims to cut funding from USAID and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, now faces further procedural hurdles and potential amendments in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson prefers the Senate not alter the bill, though past experiences suggest the House GOP might still pass an amended version onto the President's desk.

Dive Deeper:

• President Trump's $9 billion rescission package seeks to cut congressionally approved funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, with significant reductions from USAID and the CPB, which supports NPR and PBS.

• The Senate GOP proposed a $400 million carveout for global HIV and AIDS prevention to win over dissenters, reducing the total cuts from $9.4 billion to $9 billion, but still faced opposition from within their ranks.

• Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, along with Senator Mitch McConnell, opposed the bill despite the PEPFAR carveout, citing a need for more thorough legislative processes rather than mere budget adjustments.

• The bill's advancement required Vice President JD Vance's tie-breaking vote after a trio of Senate Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing its progression from the Appropriations Committee.

• Further procedural votes and debates, including a potential 'vote-a-rama' for amendments, await the bill in the Senate, where House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed a preference for no changes to be made.

• The bill's journey reflects broader tensions in Congress over fiscal policy and the influence of the White House, with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought emphasizing the bill's substantial integrity despite modifications.

• The House GOP, despite internal grumblings, is likely to pass an amended version of the rescissions package onto Trump's desk, continuing a pattern seen during the budget reconciliation process.