Overview

• The Senate passed the rescissions bill 51-48 to reclaim about $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $8 billion from foreign aid programs
• Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in voting against the measure even as key GOP figures like Mitch McConnell ultimately backed it
• Lawmakers stripped out a $400 million PEPFAR cut to secure support from swing-vote senators, reflecting strategic negotiations within the package
• Opponents warn that defunding CPB threatens NPR and PBS stations’ emergency-alert systems and rural programming while foreign aid cuts could erode U.S. soft power
• The bill returns to the House for a final vote by Friday to meet the 45-day rescission window before it proceeds to President Trump’s desk