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

Wisconsin’s U.S. senators split their votes on a $9 billion federal spending package passed early Thursday in the Senate. The legislation includes major cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson voted in favor, while Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin opposed the measure.

"Rescinding $9 billion from $7,000 billion in total spending should be a chip shot," Johnson stated. "With $1,900 billion average deficits over the last five years, it's the very least we can do."

"We shouldn’t be taking away critical emergency alert services because Republicans don’t like Big Bird," countered Baldwin.

The legislation, one of President Donald Trump’s key priorities, would have little 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 1 a.m. CT. 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.