The US Congress cuts $9 billion from the budget at Trump’s request

The US Congress on Friday finally approved budget cuts totaling approximately $9 billion, pushed by the White House and the Government Efficiency Commission, which primarily include international aid.

The bill was supported by 216 members, while 213 opposed it, including two Republican members of the House of Representatives. President Donald Trump must ratify it before the deadline on Friday evening.

The Commission on Government Efficiency, chaired by Elon Musk, identified these cuts, which include approximately $8 billion originally allocated to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The remaining funds were directed primarily to National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBS).

The Trump administration then asked Congress to remove these funds, otherwise it would have to spend them.

Before the text was passed, Republican Representative Tom Emmer said, “This is what the American people voted for”.

The cuts primarily included the global AIDS program PEPFAR, established under former President George W. Bush, with $400 million in funding removed.

However, moderate Republican senators were able to withdraw this portion of the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune downplayed the impact of these cuts on Wednesday, stressing that they are a very small portion of federal spending.

He stressed, “When the debt is $36 trillion, action must be taken”.

In June, US President Trump welcomed the return of $9 billion directed towards wasted international aid.

He strongly attacked the public radio and television broadcasters, calling them extremely biased against Republicans.

The two broadcasters could lose $1.1 billion allocated to them.

Under the US Constitution, only Congress has the authority to appropriate federal public funds.