Rescissions Act of 2025

In July 2025, Congress approved the Rescissions Act, eliminating nearly $9 billion in federal spending. The cuts included international aid programs and funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports PBS and NPR.

The law was advanced under the Impoundment Control Act, which allows the president to request the cancellation of specific appropriations. Lawmakers’ approval of this measure marked one of the most significant federal funding rescissions in recent memory.

Supporters frame the law as a step toward fiscal responsibility, ensuring that taxpayer money is prioritized for domestic programs. They argue that trimming foreign aid and reducing subsidies to public media helps address the federal deficit.

Opponents warn that the cuts undermine both diplomacy and public broadcasting. Reductions in foreign aid may weaken U.S. influence abroad, while cuts to PBS and NPR could harm educational programming and independent journalism.

The Rescissions Act reflects the federal government’s ongoing struggle to balance fiscal conservatism with national and cultural priorities. Its long-term effects will be felt in international partnerships and in public access to trusted media.