U.S. House Backs Trump’s $9.4 Billion DOGE Spending Cuts, Targeting USAID and Public Media

Introduction

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward implementing President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda by advancing a $9.4 billion package of spending cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). On June 11, 2025, the House voted 213-207 to move forward with the rescissions package, which aims to claw back funding from programs like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), National Public Radio (NPR), and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Championed by former DOGE leader Elon Musk, these cuts reflect Trump’s push to eliminate what he deems wasteful spending, but critics warn of dire consequences for global aid and public media. As Congress faces a 45-day deadline to finalize the package, the vote signals a contentious battle over federal priorities.

House Approves DOGE’s Rescissions Package

The rescissions package, formally submitted by the White House on June 3, seeks to redirect $9.4 billion in previously appropriated funds, including $8.3 billion from USAID and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. The House’s narrow 213-207 vote, largely along party lines, underscores Republican commitment to codifying DOGE’s findings, as articulated by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who praised the cuts as a step toward “restoring fiscal sanity.” The package, rooted in the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, requires only a simple majority in both chambers, giving Republicans a filibuster-proof path to passage in the Senate. Posts on X, such as one from @JDunlap1974, celebrated the vote as a victory for Trump’s agenda, though the $9.4 billion is a fraction of DOGE’s initial $2 trillion savings goal.

DOGE’s Legacy and Musk’s Influence

Launched by Trump and led by Elon Musk until his departure in late May, DOGE aimed to streamline federal operations by slashing programs deemed inefficient or ideologically driven. The rescissions package targets USAID initiatives, such as $500 million for child and maternal health and $9 million for HIV/AIDS programs, alongside public broadcasting funds. A White House spokesperson justified cuts to programs like $750,000 for reducing xenophobia in Venezuela, labeling them wasteful. While DOGE’s website claims $105 billion in total savings as of March 4, including $8 billion from contract terminations, critics like Bobby Kogan from the Center for American Progress argue that some cuts violate legal spending mandates, prompting lawsuits and judicial interventions.

Opposition and Potential Impacts

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Patty Murray, have fiercely opposed the cuts, calling the attack on NPR and PBS an attempt to “muzzle the free press” and decrying USAID reductions as harmful to global health and U.S. influence against China. Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed skepticism about the package’s feasibility within the 45-day window, citing its complexity. The cuts, representing just 0.14% of the $6.8 trillion federal budget, have sparked debate over their symbolic versus practical impact, especially as Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” adds $2 trillion to the deficit. X posts like @LondonRealTV reflect public division, with some hailing the cuts as a blow to bureaucracy, while others fear for vulnerable programs.

Legal and Political Challenges Ahead

The rescissions package faces a rocky path in the Senate, where careful review is promised, and legal challenges loom. Previous Trump-era rescission attempts, like a $15 billion package in 2018, were rejected, and ongoing lawsuits, including one from the National Treasury Employees Union against DOGE’s data access, could complicate implementation. The House Freedom Caucus, led by Representative Andy Harris, has vowed to push for more cuts, but Democratic unanimity against the package and public backlash over programs like PEPFAR, linked to HIV/AIDS prevention, may hinder progress. The vote’s timing, amid Musk’s criticism of Trump’s broader spending plans, adds further tension to Republican unity.

Conclusion

The U.S. House’s advancement of Trump’s $9.4 billion DOGE cuts marks a bold move to reshape federal spending, targeting USAID and public media in a bid to align with the administration’s efficiency goals. While Republicans celebrate the vote as a triumph over wasteful programs, Democratic opposition and legal hurdles highlight the contentious nature of these reductions. As the Senate deliberates and the 45-day clock ticks, the outcome will test Congress’s ability to balance fiscal discipline with global and cultural priorities. The crypto industry, watching closely amid parallel regulatory shifts like the CLARITY Act, may find opportunities in a leaner government, but the broader impact on public trust and international aid remains a critical concern.