Congressional plea issued by Trump to retract budget allocations aligned with DOGE

Congressional plea issued by Trump to retract budget allocations aligned with DOGE

White House's Rescission Request in Brief

WASHINGTON takes an unexpected U-turn, seeking $9.4 billion in spending cuts from Congress, pinching programs in Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency's crosshairs. This move, dubbed as "rescission," requires President Donald Trump's approval from Congress to reclaim funds. The cuts target programs believed to reinforce liberal ideologies by Trump aides.

The request's approval could cement many of the spending cuts and freezes pushed by the DOGE, as Trump lashes out against a tax cut and spending plan, tagging it as a "disgusting abomination" for widening the federal deficit. If successful, the White House may unveil further spending cuts and efforts to curb spending.

Here's what you should know about the rescission request:

Can Rescissions Shrink National Debt?

The proposed cuts are expected to have little impact on the U.S. national debt's soaring trajectory. Lackluster tax revenues have been struggling to keep pace with expanding expenditures on Social Security, Medicare, and other programs. The Congressional Budget Office anticipates a hefty $7 trillion spending spree this year, making the rescission request amount only insignificant at 0.1% of the total.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted at more spending cuts during Tuesday's briefing, while White House budget director Russ Vought prepared ground for additional measures to return funds.

Programs Roaming in the Crosshairs

A White House OMB spokesperson, in a veiled warning, outlined items to face funding cuts, including:

1. State Department and USAID: Around $8.3 billion is set to be axed from these departments, targeting alleged wasteful practices[1][3].
2. Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): Funding for NPR and PBS might be eliminated with the proposed rescission of $1.1 billion[1][2][3].
3. U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR): Another global initiative aimed at combating HIV/AIDS faces cuts[3].
4. African Development Foundation: Another international aid program that might face cuts[3].
5. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia: The full amount of $460 million appropriated for FY 2025 faces rescission[4].

The administration views several programs as wasteful within its sights, including $750,000 for reducing xenophobia in Venezuela, $67,000 for promoting insect powder feeding for children in Madagascar, and $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies, and condoms in Zambia.

Prospects: Will Rescissions Slide Through?

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed optimism about passing the cuts, praising the proposed changes and vowing to expedite their passage. The House Freedom Caucus, representing the chamber's most conservative members, called for more rescission packages from the administration[5].

Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a more cautious welcome, pledging a thorough examination of the rescissions package's potential repercussions on global health, national security, emergency communications in rural communities, and public radio and television stations[6].

Boak pens this report for Associated Press.

Further Reads

• Voices: DOGE Was a Step in the Right Direction. Trump Needs to Dive Deeper for Real Fiscal Change
• Trump's Cuts May Spark Increased HIV Cases Nationwide, Warn Democrats and Public Health Advocates
• California FEMA Earthquake Retrofit Grants Canceled, Imperiling Critical Work, Schiff Says[1]- Daily Caller[2]- Forbes[3]- CNN[4]- Bloomberg[5]- Politico[6]- MunchEye News

1. The White House seeks President Donald Trump's approval to reclaim $9.4 billion in funding from Congress, aiming at programs in Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
2. The proposed cuts, known as "rescission," could significantly shrink the federal spending plan, especially since the DOGE is discouraging a tax cut and spending plan.
3. The rescission request might impact programs like the State Department and USAID, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and international aid programs.
4. Some conservative members of the House of Representatives, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, are optimistic about passing the cuts, while Sen. Susan Collins has cautioned a thorough examination of potential repercussions.
5. Opinion pieces supporting the rescission request argue that it reflects a necessary step towards fiscal change, while public health advocates warn that cuts may contribute to increased HIV cases nationwide.
6. In California, the cancelation of FEMA earthquake retrofit grants is prompting concerns about critical work imperiling safety.
7. The reporting on the White House's rescission request can be found in various general news outlets like Associated Press, Daily Caller, Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg, Politico, and MunchEye News.

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