How GA Senators Voted On $9B Bill Cutting Public Broadcasting, Foreign Aid

Georgia senators voted against $9 billion in federal spending cuts, including deep reductions in public broadcasting and foreign aid, passed early Thursday by the U.S. Senate.

Sens. Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, both Democrats, voted no on the measure.

“Under the cover of darkness, Republicans in Washington slashed funding for the disaster warning system and public broadcasting,” Warnock tweeted Thursday. “All to save 0.2% of what they just spent on tax breaks for billionaires. It’s wrong. I’ll keep fighting these reckless cuts.”

In criticism of the legislation on Tuesday, Warnock accused Republicans of “trying to claw back funding for PBS” and “defund ‘Sesame Street.’”

The legislation, one of President Donald Trump’s key priorities, would have a tiny impact on the nation’s rising debt but could have major ramifications for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and U.S. food aid internationally.

It also could complicate efforts to pass additional spending bills this year, as Democrats and even some Republicans voice objections to broadly ceding congressional spending power with little idea of how the White House Office of Management and Budget would apply the cuts.

Democrats sought to remove many of the proposed rescissions during the 12 hours of amendment votes. The measure passed on a vote of 51-48 just after 2 a.m. ET. None of the Democratic amendments were adopted.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the legislation.

If the House passes the bill, it would go to Trump’s desk for his signature.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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