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

ACROSS ILLINOIS — Illinois senators voted against $9 billion in federal spending cuts, including deep reductions in public broadcasting and foreign aid, passed early Thursday by the Senate.

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.

Democrat Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Richard Durbin of Illinois voted against the legislation.

Referring to it as a "recession package," Duckworth said the proposal aims to put everything on the "chopping block," including national security, global health initiatives and public radio and television stations.

“Whether it’s his illegal funding freeze or empowering unelected bureaucrats to take a chainsaw to basic needs programs, Donald Trump has been on a mission to cut critical government services and lifelines that millions depend on from day one," Duckworth said in a statement Thursday morning. “There’s nothing off limits in Republicans’ scheme to carve out tax cuts for Trump and their billionaire buddies—and despite claims about how much money they’re saving, American taxpayers will pay the price for these cuts.”

She called the cuts to public broadcasting "an attack on free press and our communities."

"Public broadcasting is critically important for Illinoisans across our state, especially in our rural communities, it’s a lifeline of information and engagement," she said.

In a statement released early Thursday, Durbin took aim at the bill — as well as congressional Republicans.

"Just two weeks after voting to rip health care away from 17 million Americans, congressional Republicans have yet again chosen their loyalty to President Trump over the interests of their constituents and the world's poorest," he said in a statement. "President Trump and congressional Republicans will tell you this vote was about 'cutting waste' and 'improving efficiency.' But what is efficient about slashing funding for public broadcasting, a critical source of information and emergency alerts to Americans in rural areas?"

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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