President Donald Trump has sent Congress a new rescissions package seeking to eliminate nearly $5 billion in foreign aid programs.
The White House submitted the proposal Thursday night, marking Trump’s latest move to slash overseas spending after a $9 billion package was passed in July.
Breakdown of Proposed Cuts
The latest package includes:
-
$3.2 billion in USAID funding.
-
$322 million from the USAID–State Department Democracy Fund.
-
$521 million in State Department contributions to international organizations.
-
$393 million in State Department peacekeeping contributions.
-
$445 million in additional peacekeeping aid.
“Since January, we’ve saved the taxpayers tens of billions of dollars,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X. He added that USAID is now “in closeout mode,” with OMB Director Russ Vought overseeing its wind-down.
Previous Cuts in July
Last month, Trump and Vought secured passage of a $9 billion rescissions package that cut foreign aid and reduced funding for public broadcasting. The Senate approved the measure in a narrow 51–48 vote, with Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) voting against it.
The House followed the next day, passing the measure 216–213. Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio) joined Democrats in opposition.
Next Steps in Congress
Lawmakers now have 45 days to consider Trump’s latest proposal. The timing overlaps with Congress’ return from August recess and an upcoming budget showdown, with government funding set to expire on September 30.
The White House described the proposal as part of Trump’s effort to eliminate “woke, weaponized, and wasteful spending”.
