• Senate Democrats are warning of a potential government shutdown as Republicans push a $9.4 billion rescissions package targeting public broadcasting, climate initiatives, and foreign aid. The bill’s passage could fracture bipartisan talks ahead of fiscal year 2026 budget negotiations, which are already strained following repeated short-term funding extensions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — Tensions are escalating in Congress as Senate Democrats signal they may withdraw from bipartisan budget negotiations if Republicans move forward with a controversial rescissions bill. The package, already approved by the House in June, proposes to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved funding across several federal programs.

The proposal, backed by President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), includes sweeping cuts to foreign aid, climate programs, and public broadcasting. Senate Republicans only need a majority vote to pass it.

“It is absurd for [Republicans] to expect Democrats to act as business as usual,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to colleagues on Tuesday. “Grave implications” will follow if the bill proceeds, including a breakdown in bipartisan appropriations talks.

Key targets of the bill

The Rescissions Act of 2025, drafted by the Office of Management and Budget, proposes to eliminate $8.3 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion from public media networks such as PBS and NPR.

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According to OMB, the cuts focus on “non-lifesaving and ideologically driven spending.” This includes:

• $900 million from USAID programs, mostly targeting population control, abortion access, LGBTQ equity grants, and gender-based funding initiatives.
• $6 million for “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico and $5.1 million for LGBTIQ+ movement resilience funding.
• $3 million for reproductive health projects in Zambia, including vasectomy and circumcision outreach.
• $1.1 billion from public broadcasting services, which OMB described as “politically biased.”

The Trump administration maintains that the cuts will not affect core health programs such as HIV, AIDS, or maternal care services.

Political consequences ahead

Congress has not passed a full fiscal year 2025 budget. Instead, it has relied on three temporary continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep federal operations funded through September 30.

Speaker Johnson told reporters the rescissions package is just the beginning. “This is the first of many in our multifront war against the deficit,” he said.

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President Trump has also called on Republicans to eliminate $163 billion in additional agency spending, particularly in areas tied to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and climate initiatives.

Could this standoff derail the 2026 budget entirely — or force a long-overdue debate over federal priorities?

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