HR-4-119

Rescissions Act of 2025

SignedHouse119th CongressEconomy

Introduced: Jun 6, 2025
Latest action: Jul 24, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-28.

Sponsored by Steve Scalise (R-LA)

What it does

This law rescinds (cancels) unobligated funds previously appropriated for various foreign aid programs, including contributions to international organizations and peacekeeping, global health, migration and refugee assistance, development assistance, and democracy programs, totaling roughly $7.9 billion. It also cancels all fiscal year 2026 and 2027 funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It carves out exceptions protecting funds for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, maternal and child health, food aid programs, and assistance to Jordan, Egypt, and certain China-countering initiatives.

Who benefits

Taxpayers in the sense that federal spending is reduced by roughly $9 billion; supporters of reduced foreign aid spending and reduced federal funding for public media; fiscal conservatives seeking smaller discretionary outlays.

Who is hurt

International organizations and peacekeeping missions that would lose funding; global health, refugee, and development programs not specifically protected; NGOs and contractors implementing USAID-funded projects; public television and radio stations, especially rural and small-market stations reliant on Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding; foreign governments and populations receiving economic and disaster assistance.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue that rescinding unobligated funds eliminates waste and reduces the federal deficit without cutting services currently in use, since the money had not yet been spent. They contend the bill protects the most critical humanitarian programs — HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and food aid — while cutting less essential international spending and public broadcasting funding that they argue should not rely on taxpayer support.

Opponents argue

Opponents argue that rescinding unobligated foreign aid funds undermines long-term diplomatic commitments and disrupts programs already in the planning or negotiation stage, potentially harming U.S. credibility with international partners. They contend that eliminating all Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding for two fiscal years would force local public radio and television stations, particularly in rural areas with few alternative news sources, to cut services or close entirely.

Constitutional context

This law follows the rescission process under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which requires the President to propose rescissions to Congress and Congress to approve them by law, consistent with Congress's Article I, Section 9 power over appropriations and its authority to control the withdrawal of funds from the Treasury.

Checks and balances

The President proposed the rescissions but Congress retained the power to approve or reject them by statute, reflecting the constitutional requirement that only Congress can permanently cancel appropriated funds it has enacted.

Historical precedent

Presidents have used the formal rescission process under the Impoundment Control Act before, though large-scale approved rescissions of this magnitude are relatively rare in recent decades, with the most notable modern precedent being the 1990s-era rescission packages under President Clinton.

Passed neutrality audit

Vote history

SenateJul 17, 2025
Amendment Rejected (48-51)
48 Yea51 Nay1 Not voting1/2 required
SenateJul 17, 2025
Amendment Rejected (49-50)
49 Yea50 Nay1 Not voting1/2 required
SenateJul 17, 2025Procedural
Motion to Table Agreed to (51-47)

Fiscal impact

Source: CBOJun 9, 2025medium confidence

Direction: Savings
Timeframe: 2 years