WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump wants to cancel $9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress. That's just a sliver of the $1.7 trillion that lawmakers OK'd for the budget year ending Sept. 30.
The package of 21 budget rescissions will have to be approved by both chambers of Congress for the cuts to take place, beginning with a House vote expected Thursday. Otherwise, the spending remains in place.
The White House bets that cutting federal investments in public media and some foreign aid programs will prove politically popular. Republicans say if this effort is successful, they hope more rescission packages will follow as they look to continue work by the Department of Government Efficiency once run by billionaire Elon Musk.
Democrats describe the cuts as inhumane and would rip lifesaving support from hungry and sick people across the globe. Republicans describe the cuts as "modest" and say the U.S. will continue to play a critical role in helping the world's most vulnerable people.
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Here's a look at some of the spending the White House is trying to claw back:
An entrance to the Arizona PBS offices in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is seen May 2 in Phoenix.Â
Public mediaÂ
The Republican president asked lawmakers to rescind almost $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting —the full amount it's slated to receive during the next two budget years. Congress traditionally provides public media with advanced funds to reduce political pressures.
The corporation distributes the money mostly to public television and radio stations around the country, with some assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System to support national programming.
The White House complains the public media system is politically biased and an unnecessary expense.
Much of the conservatives' ire is focused on NPR and PBS. But about two-thirds of the money goes to more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations. Almost half of those stations serve rural areas of the country.
"They want to punish the national guys, that's fine," said Rep. Mark Amodei, a Republican who said he was undecided going into this week's vote. "But I'm trying to get a handle on what it means for my stations in Nevada, because the ability to fundraise at the national level ain't the same as the ability to fundraise in Reno."
The association representing local public television stations warns that many of them would be forced to close if the GOP bill passes. Those stations provide emergency alerts, free educational programming and high school sports coverage.
Meanwhile, local radio stations say their share of the allocation provides funding for 386 stations employing almost 10,000 people. Dozens of stations rely on the public grants for more than half of their budget. Many others for nearly half.
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said South Dakota Public Broadcasting does a "really good job of covering the state Legislature" and other public affairs.
"So these rescissions are not going to be comfortable for South Dakota to deal with," Johnson said. "That being said, we're $37 trillion in debt."
Khanyiswa Kwatsha, who runs a mobile clinic for the Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, shows containers of PrEP medication used in the prevention of HIV infection Nov. 26 2020, in the Soshanguve Township, north of Pretoria, South Africa.Â
Combating diseases
Trump's administration is looking to claw back about $900 million from $10 billion that Congress approved for global health programs.
That includes canceling $500 million for activities related to infectious diseases and child and maternal health and another $400 million to address the global HIV epidemic.
The administration claims the $500 million rescission for infectious diseases would not reduce treatment but would "eliminate programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like 'family planning' and 'reproductive health,' LGBTQI+ activities, and equity programs."
It makes a similar claims on the HIV funding, saying it would eliminate "only those programs that neither provide life-saving treatment nor support American interests."
Scores of humanitarian aid groups asked lawmakers to oppose the proposed cuts.
Catholic Relief Services called on donors to contact their members of Congress to urge them to vote against the bill. Without the U.S. assistance, "countless lives are at risk, and the needs will continue to rise," said the plea to supporters.
The importance of the United States' contribution to the global HIV response cannot be overstated, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. It says the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, saved more than 26 million lives and averted almost 5 million new HIV infections since it was launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush, a Republican.
"Instead of facing a death sentence, people supported by PEPFAR are raising families, building their communities, and helping their communities grow and develop," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.
Displaced Afghan boys from Helmand province read the Quran in an improvised mosque June 28, 2008, at Afshar refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan.Â
Refugee assistance
The Trump administration wants to cancel $800 million, or a quarter of the amount Congress approved, for a program that provides emergency shelter, water and sanitation, and family reunification for those forced to flee their own country. The program also helps vetted refugees who come to the U.S. get started in their new country.
Refugees International urged Congress to reject what it described as a reckless proposal.
Promoting stability
About 45% of the savings sought by the White House would come from two programs designed to boost the economies, democratic institutions and civil societies in developing countries.
The administration wants to rescind $2.5 billion of the $3.9 billion approved for the Development Assistance program at the U.S. Agency for International Development and about $1.7 billion, or almost half of the funds, dedicated to the State Department's Economic Support Fund.
The administration says in its request to Congress that the Development Assistance account is supposed to fund programs that work to end extreme poverty and promote resilient democratic societies, but in practice many of the programs "conflict with American values" and bankroll corrupt leaders' evasion of responsibilities to their citizens while providing "no clear benefit to Americans."
Budget cuts impact national parks: What visitors need to know
Budget cuts impact national parks: What visitors need to know
On Feb. 14, 2025, the laid off about 1,000 probationary employees, targeting those hired less than a year ago, as part of efforts to downsize the federal workforce under the Trump administration. Additionally, over , further reducing staff levels. These staffing changes occurred just weeks before the busy season, typically from May to September, creating operational challenges across the 428 sites within the national park system, reports.
The effects of these cuts vary across parks:
- Grand Teton National Park: Reports indicate that , leaving only one person to manage seasonal hiring.
- : At least a dozen positions, particularly in maintenance and fee collection, were cut, potentially affecting trail accessibility.
- Yosemite National Park: The and reduced service hours, with some visitor centers facing closures.
Conservation organizations, including the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), have raised alarms about both immediate and long-term consequences. The NPCA highlights a , which could worsen with reduced staffing. Additionally, —towns reliant on park tourism—may face if visitor experiences deteriorate.
Despite the cuts, the for summer operations, a temporary measure to address immediate needs. However, this cannot fully compensate for the loss of permanent staff. For travelers, :
- Research current conditions at specific parks before visiting.
- Consider visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons.
- Bring additional supplies and expect fewer services.
- Prepare for potential facility closures or reduced hours.
Despite these challenges, visitation remains high. In 2023, the NPS recorded 325.5 million visits, and , a 2% increase. Interestingly, the NPS has been instructed , as reported by SFGate ().
To address staffing gaps, parks are exploring . The NPS has long collaborated with groups like the National Park Foundation, and these partnerships may help mitigate some operational challenges.
As summer approaches, visitors should adjust their expectations while recognizing that America's national parks remain extraordinary destinations worth exploring with proper preparation and a flexible mindset.
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
