US Senate Approves Major Cuts to Foreign Aid
The US Senate has approved President Donald Trump's plan to slash billions in federal spending, including significant reductions to foreign aid and public broadcasting.
The vote, held early Thursday, passed with a narrow majority of 51 to 48, marking a key political win for Trump as he consolidates influence over Congress with minimal opposition.
The approved $9 billion spending cut targets several key areas. A large portion will impact foreign aid programs supporting countries facing war, disease, and natural disasters.
In addition, the plan
eliminates
$1.1 billion in funding previously allocated to public broadcasting over the next two years.
President Trump and several Republican allies argue that public broadcasting is a non-essential expense. Many have also criticized its news coverage, claiming it leans against conservative viewpoints.
Although $9 billion represents a small fraction of the $6.8 trillion federal budget, the cuts form part of a broader effort to curb government spending. Much of the proposed reductions were initiated by the Office of Government Efficiency, previously overseen by billionaire Elon Musk.
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Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
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