As Republican senators race to advance their massive reconciliation bill before July 4, the deadline for another one of President Donald Trump’s controversial legislative priorities is sneaking up on them — and it might not have the votes to pass.
The Senate is considering a package that would codify $9.4 billion in Department of Government Efficiency cuts. The legislation — which narrowly passed in the House June 12 — includes cuts like $7.4 billion in international aid programs such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, $1.1 billion in public broadcasting and $9 million from President George W. Bush’s legacy HIV-AIDS relief program, known as PEPFAR.
For procedural reasons, the Senate must pass the legislation, known as a rescission bill, by July 18, which marks 45 days after the Trump White House sent its request to claw back the funds to Congress.