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

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

Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks were among 48 lawmakers who opposed the legislation, one of President Donald Trump’s key priorities. The bill 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.

Van Hollen posted a video criticizing the cuts to public broadcasting and health programs, arguing it bolsters tax cuts for the wealthy.

Republicans just voted to cut critical investments that benefit all Americans — to help finance their billionaire tax cuts.

If that sounds like déjà vu all over again, it's because they literally did a similar thing two weeks ago. It's just one Great Betrayal after another⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GIxLV6SbBW
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) July 17, 2025

Alsobrooks said the measure slashes jobs at USAID, an agency that delivers food and medical care to children and medical patients overseas, and cutting National Public Radio. She said the legislation won't help lower housing or grocery costs.

Republicans are at it again—trying to jam another bill through the Senate to make things worse for the American people. pic.twitter.com/QMHaeYd9aq
— Senator Angela Alsobrooks (@Sen_Alsobrooks) July 17, 2025

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.

In a statement posted on his website, Van Hollen called the legislation “another betrayal of the American people.”

“Just two weeks after Republicans slashed health care for working families in order to pass a major tax giveaway for billionaires, they were back at it again today,” Van Hollen said. "At Donald Trump’s demand, Republicans erased investments that were agreed to on a bipartisan basis and signed into law just months ago, cutting the resources that provide Americans with critical public safety alerts during emergencies and kneecapping our foreign assistance efforts that combat public health risks and advance American interests abroad.”

Alsobrooks also released the following statement:

“Republicans have jammed yet another bill through the Senate to make things worse for the American people. This time, it was defunding public radio and gutting jobs at USAID. Last time, it was slashing Medicaid for working-class people. Meanwhile, this Republican Majority has not yet put ONE SINGLE BILL on the Floor to improve the lives of working people across my state and across this country. Republicans have made their priorities clear: make lives worse for working people to improve the lives of billionaires.”

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

The Associated Press contributed reporting.