The One Big Beautiful Bill Is Now Law—but a $9 Billion Rescissions Package Is Still Looming
The Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4th. In its wake, there’s still another big bill looming: H.R.4, a rescissions package asking Congress to go through with rescinding funding cuts to already approved funding through the rescissions process, which allows the Senate to rescind previously approved spending with a simple majority, rather than the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. It passed its initial vote late last night (Tuesday, July 15) with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie to vote it in 51-50. The legislation now faces procedural hurdles—and up to 10 hours of debate—before going for final passage and then finally back to the House.
In a 214 to 212 vote, all but four House Republicans voted in favor of the measure, with all Democrats opposing (June 12, 2025). The package would cancel $9.4 billion appropriated by Congress, looking to make permanent some of the Department of Government Efficiency's (D.O.G.E.) spending cuts by slashing foreign aid, refugee assistance, climate projects, and cutting off federal funding for NPR and PBS. The bill specifically targets unobligated balances—meaning previously appropriated but unspent money, hanging in limbo. The rescissions bill is narrowly tailored to target unspent foreign aid, peacekeeping, refugee assistance, climate & development funds, and future public broadcasting funding.
Unlike the House, where party leadership managed to force most votes, Senate Republicans are facing more caution from inside the party. Some senators—like Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mike Rounds, and Dan Sullivan—are still raising concerns over a few of the major cuts regarding global health programs like PEPFAR (Presidential Emergency Program for AIDS Relief), refugee aid, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Before the initial passage, $400 million in cuts to PEPFAR were removed, but it wasn’t enough to sway Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to vote with their party.
Senator Collins (R-ME), in particular, has noted a lack of clarity on which funds are being targeted. Senators are asking for language changes and exemptions, especially surrounding public health and education. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has made it clear she isn’t a fan of the rescissions process and the way it undermines appropriations. To be clear, these emphatic GOP reactions are saying something important—there are fractures in the party that Thune is working to patch before the vote.
We’re coming up on a major deadline, now, and not one that’s been set by Trump. Under the Impoundment Control Act, rescissions must be passed by Friday, June 18th, at midnight, or the bill is out and funds automatically get expended. Hence the major urgency that Senate Majority Leader John Thune is feeling right about now.
What’s Happening in Pennsylvania
Separately—but related—Governor Shapiro has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging cuts to federal education funding, a sign of broader resistance to the administration’s fiscal agenda. The impact of H.R.4 bill is indirect but still meaningful on Pennsylvania: broadcasting stations like WHYY rely in part on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) grants. Loss of funding could lead to cutbacks at local stations, affecting programming, jobs, and access—especially for rural areas that rely heavily on local stations.
Similarly, there are Pennsylvania nonprofits depending on federal Migration & Refugee Assistance funding. As with anything, cuts can constrain services. Universities and NGO’s active in international development or global health could have the same problems, with the possibility of cuts to research grants, exchange programs, or contracts canceled or reduced.
Looking Forward—for PA, and the Nation
If the full rescission package runs as-is, Pennsylvania’s public broadcasting stations, refugee services, and globally-connected institutions will be left scrambling to adjust their budgets in reaction to cuts. In a state that’s often known as a battleground in politics, eyes will be on Pennsylvania to see how major federal decisions affect 2026 outcomes.
This tactical showdown in Congress is gearing us up for major confrontations in the coming years, politically, and the nation has questions about what this standoff is foreshadowing. Will rescissions become the default playbook for presidents looking to claw back unspent funding? Are moderate Republicans—or Democrats—being squeezed out of their parties by the threat of withheld endorsements?
Sure, it’s Washington drama—but as states like Pennsylvania and its vulnerable communities and programs get caught in the crossfire, we can’t help but wonder if there’s a deeper question to be asked about who we want to be as a country: do we prize spectacle and party loyalty above all else, or is there still room for compromise? In the hush between the shouting, whispers might tell us which way the wind is really blowing.
A Breakdown of the Rescissions:
H.R. 4 permanently cancels funds in these areas (with approximate amounts):
International Organizations
$33M + $168M from State Department contributions to international organizations
$203M + $157M from international peacekeeping activities
Global Health
$500M from Global Health Programs
Migration & Refugee Assistance
$800M
Crisis and Democracy Funds
$43M from Complex Crises Fund
$83M from Democracy Fund
$1.65B from Economic Support Fund
Climate & Development
$125M from Clean Technology Fund
$436M from International Organizations and Programs
$2.5B from Development Assistance
Regional Aid
$460M for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia
$496M for International Disaster Assistance
Agency Operating Expenses
$125M for USAID operating expenses
$57M for Transition Initiatives
$27M from Inter-American Foundation
$22M from African Development Foundation
$15M from U.S. Institute of Peace
Public Broadcasting
Rescinds $1.1 billion in funding for Corporation for Public Broadcasting for FY 2026 and FY 2027
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