• The US Congress has approved $9 billion in cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting as part of Trump’s fiscal agenda.
• The Senate passed the measure with a 51-48 vote, followed by the House's approval of 216-213.
• Major funding cuts target the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, eliminating $1.1 billion.
• Concerns arise over prioritizing cuts at the expense of programs aiding those in need internationally.
• Lawmakers express worries about ceding congressional control over budget decisions to the executive branch.

The US Congress has passed a significant spending cut measure under President Donald Trump's administration, eliminating $9 billion in funding primarily aimed at foreign aid and public broadcasting. This congressional approval marks another step in Trump's goal to reshape federal spending, despite mixed reactions from lawmakers and experts, highlighted by a 51-48 Senate vote followed by the House’s approval at 216-213, according to Newsweek, HuffPost, and South China Morning Post.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune asserted that the cuts target what he describes as wasteful spending, aiming for greater fiscal responsibility. The legislation primarily impacts the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by withdrawing the full $1.1 billion planned for the next two budget years. Additionally, approximately $8 billion will cease to be allocated for various foreign aid programs designed to assist countries afflicted by disease, war, and natural disasters, according to BBC, Los Angeles Times, and SFGate.

Democrats and some Republican senators expressed strong concerns regarding the cuts. Notably, Sen. Lisa Murkowski highlighted how public broadcasting serves essential functions during emergencies in rural states, such as providing critical weather alerts. Echoing these sentiments, Sen. Susan Collins emphasized the lack of clarity surrounding which specific programs would be affected, as detailed cuts have not been adequately disclosed, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The initiative has drawn criticism for its potential to significantly damage America's foreign aid efforts, which many argue are vital for global diplomacy and humanitarian assistance. Advocates like Sen. Brian Schatz pointed out that these cuts could have life-and-death implications in countries facing crisis situations, reinforcing fears that neglecting such programs could create a geopolitical void, allowing other nations to influence situations where the US has previously played a role, as articulated in India Times and TRT Global.

With the recent approval, further rescission packages may be on the horizon, aimed at further reducing the federal budget, although many Congress members urge restraint in such practices that bypass typical bipartisan funding processes, as warned by legislation leader Chuck Schumer, according to India Times, HuffPost, and SFGate.