Amendment Rejected (48-51)
48 Yea51 Nay1 Not voting1/2 required
HR-4-119
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.
Amendment Rejected (48-51)
Amendment Rejected (49-50)
Motion to Table Agreed to (51-47)
Amendment Rejected (48-51)
Amendment Rejected (47-51)
Amendment Agreed to (52-47)
Bill Passed (51-48)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (48-51)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (48-51)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (47-50)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (47-52)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (48-51)
Amendment Rejected (47-52)
Amendment Rejected (49-50)
Amendment Rejected (48-51)
Amendment Rejected (48-51)
Amendment Rejected (46-51)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (48-51)
Motion to Recommit Rejected (48-51)
Motion to Discharge Agreed to (50-50, Vice President of the United States, voted Yea)
Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President of the United States, voted Yea)
Passed