Big Bird and Elmo are about to lose out.
House Republicans narrowly passed a bill Thursday to cut $9.4 billion worth of federal spending, effectively codifying several actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The so-called rescissions package axes approximately $8.3 billion previously allocated to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and $1.1 billion to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which partially finances National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).The 214-212 vote sends the measure to the Senate, where it will only need a simple majority to advance to President Trump’s desk.
Four Republicans — Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio joined 208 Democrats in voting against the bill. Six lawmakers — four Democrats and two Republicans — didn’t vote.
At least two Republicans, Reps. Nick LaLota of New York and Don Bacon of Nebraska initially voted no, but ultimately flipped their votes amid pressure from GOP leadership.
“Republicans will continue to deliver real accountability and restore fiscal discipline.”
Democrats had raged against the cuts, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) brandishing an Elmo doll during his remarks to argue that children’s television programming was on the chopping block.
“It actually represents an attack on children. This is extraordinary to me,” Jeffries said.
The 214-212 vote sends the measure to the Senate, where it will only need a simple majority to advance to President Trump’s desk.
Four Republicans — Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio joined 208 Democrats in voting against the bill. Six lawmakers — four Democrats and two Republicans — didn’t vote.
At least two Republicans, Reps. Nick LaLota of New York and Don Bacon of Nebraska initially voted no, but ultimately flipped their votes amid pressure from GOP leadership.
“I want to thank DOGE for their heroic and patriotic efforts,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters. “What we’re trying to do is ensure that every dollar spent by the federal government is used efficiently and effectively.”
For the rest of the story, click here: https://nypost.com/2025/06/12/us-news/house-passes-bill-to-claw-back-9-4b-codify-cuts-to-pbs-and-npr/
