President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold endorsements from Republican senators who don’t support the administration’s effort to claw back $9.4 billion of congressionally approved funds.
Trump said in a social media post Thursday that the proposed cuts – in particular the $1.1 billion to come from public media – are “very important” to him. His statement comes as some in the Senate have raised objections to the rescissions bill, including Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine, who faces reelection next year.
“It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & MSDNC put together,” Trump wrote in the social media post. “Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.”
The Senate is expected to vote on a rescissions package next week ahead of a July 18 deadline.
Some senators have suggested amendments to eliminate certain spending cuts, including those targeting public media. Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan along with Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota have said they want the package amended to preserve funding for NPR and PBS stations.
Collins has expressed disapproval of cuts to global AIDS prevention funding and other health programs. She spoke at the Senate GOP’s conference meeting on Wednesday as the party discussed possible tweaks to the package.
Republicans can only afford to lose support from three senators before relying on Vice President JD Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote on the bill.
Any amendments made by the Senate will need to be approved by the House again before July 18 or else Congress would be required to spend money appropriated to the targeted programs.
