US Senate Approves Trump’s $9bn Spending Cuts Backed By Elon Musk
The United States Senate has approved a controversial $9 billion spending cut proposed by President Donald Trump, targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting.
The move, passed early Thursday with a narrow 51-48 vote, marks the first major legislative push influenced by Elon Musk’s now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was created to slash federal expenditures.
Although unpopular among some lawmakers, particularly moderates from both parties, the Senate backed the cuts, omitting the earlier plan to scrap $400 million from global health initiatives like the PEPFAR AIDS relief fund.
That proposal had sparked backlash due to PEPFAR’s track record of saving over 26 million lives.
Senator Lindsey Graham supported the bill but voiced concerns, saying, “I’ve been a big fan of the foreign aid accounts… but when you start spending money on a bunch of junk, and liberal programs disconnected from the purpose of the aid package, it makes it difficult on a guy like me.”
The package includes $8 billion in foreign aid cuts, particularly affecting USAID, and a $1 billion withdrawal from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS, NPR, and over 1,500 local stations. Conservatives have long criticised the media outlets for alleged liberal bias.
Trump previously signed an executive order to stop funding for PBS and NPR, reinforcing his administration’s stance.
The bill now returns to the House of Representatives, which must approve it by Friday. If it fails to do so, the White House will be required to spend the funds as originally allocated.
Such rescission packages — efforts to reclaim already-approved congressional spending — are extremely rare in U.S. politics.
Critics, like Senator Cory Booker, argue the bill undermines constitutional balance, “It is yet another example of the spirit and ideals of our Constitution being undermined… And this is a bunch of my colleagues in thrall of the president, surrendering the powers of us.”
Musk, who claimed DOGE could save $2 trillion, resigned in May following a fallout with Trump over federal deficits.
To date, DOGE has claimed $190 billion in savings — a figure disputed by independent fact-checkers.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
