A key test of Republicans’ appetite to defend Congress’ power of the purse arrives this week with the expected vote in the Senate on a White House proposal to cancel billions in previously agreed-to spending on foreign aid and public media broadcasting.
The Senate could vote as soon as Tuesday on a procedural motion on the Trump administration’s request to rescind $9.4 billion in appropriations, including $8.3 billion in international assistance and $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps fund NPR and PBS.
Only a simple majority is needed to bring the package to the Senate floor, which means Republicans can afford to lose just three votes from their side.
