The House voted Thursday to cut $9.4 billion from spending previously appropriated by Congress, the first attempt at codifying cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency.

The bill passed by Republicans, H.R. 4, is a “rescissions” package, meaning that it rescinds spending that was approved by Congress.

Recommended Stories

• New York lawmakers get into shouting match on House floor
• Republicans urge ICE to prioritize arrests of illegal immigrants to those who have committed crimes
• Lance Gooden sponsors bill demanding transparency in think tanks funded by China and other foreign countries

The cuts were proposed by the Trump administration, which asserted that they would benefit taxpayers. The legislative package advanced through a special process for rescissions, and now goes to the Senate. All but $1 billion of the proposed cuts would apply to foreign aid.

Here is what would be cut.

Development Assistance – $2.5 billion

The Development Assistance program at USAID will be cut by about 64%, or $2.5 billion. In its rescissions request, the White House said the program was well-intentioned, but now funds corruption and is not united with American values.

Economic Support Fund – $1.65 billion

The Economic Support Fund at USAID, which provides socioeconomic assistance to countries of importance to U.S. national interests, will be cut by almost half, or $1.65 billion. The White House proposal says the funds have recently been used for “radical gender and climate projects.” 

USAID global health programs – $900 million

Global health programs under USAID will also be cut by $900 million. These programs include care for maternal needs, infectious diseases, and HIV/AIDS. The White House proposal said such programs are being shut down due to their wastefulness.

Migration and refugee assistance – $800 million

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, as well as other humanitarian efforts, would also be cut by $800 million, limiting spending only to lifesaving efforts or causes beneficial to U.S. national interests. The proposal says the rescission would incentivize donors to pay for humanitarian efforts.

International Disaster Assistance – $500 million

USAID International Disaster Assistance would be cut by almost $500 million, limiting funding to efforts determined to be lifesaving or in the U.S.’s interest. The program, the proposal says, was intended to be productive and helpful, but has become wasteful. 

Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia – $460 million

The entire USAID Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia Account would be cut, a reduction of $460 million in spending. This budget is used for programs such as agriculture and education. The administration said the programs promote “woke” gender and climate agendas to countries that were originally being provided aid to gain stability after exiting communism. 

International organizations and programs – $437 million

Funds to foreign aid organizations will be cut by $437 million. The organizations in question include the United Nations Children’s Fund, the U.N. Development Program, the Montreal Protocol, and the U.N. Population Fund. Trump’s proposal says America’s contributions are “disproportionately high” and that they are forcing the programs to refine their broad missions. 

Contributions to international peacekeeping organizations – $361 million

International appropriations for certain USAID programs, such as for family planning and LGBT activities, will be cut by up to $361 million. The Trump administration said the current funding has “worsen[ed] the lives of women and children.” 

Contributions to international organizations – $202 million

With the U.S. paying about 22% of the U.N.’s budget in 2023, according to the White House, Republicans are looking to cut $202 million of allocated contributions.

This provision is in line with an executive order issued by Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council and prohibiting future funding for the U.N. relief agency for Gaza, known as UNRWA, on the grounds that they perpetuate antisemitism.

Contributions to Clean Technology Fund – $125 million

The Clean Technology Fund at the Climate Investment Funds framework would be cut by up to $125 million. The proposal says the fund backs “Green New Deal” projects and that the countries partnered with do not align with America’s values or put the people of the U.S. first. It cites the executive order that withdrew America from the Paris Agreement as the basis for the reduction.

USAID operating expenses – $125 million

Other expenses, such as USAID salaries and operating expenses, are being cut by $125 million, almost one-tenth of the funds, in an attempt to reduce what the proposal calls unnecessary efforts at USAID. 

Trump previously fired 2,000 USAID employees during a DOGE cut that was upheld by a judge in February. Eighty-three percent of USAID contracts were also put on review in March.

Democracy Fund – $83 million

The Democracy Fund, which promotes the creation of democratic nations abroad, would see $83 million in cuts. The administration says the program “undermines American values” when used.

Transition initiatives – $57 million

The package would cut $57 million, about 76%, of the Transition Efforts Budget, the proposal states. The Transition Efforts Budget works to help nations undergoing political or economic transitions, such as from communism to democracy.

Complex Crises Fund – $43 million

The legislative package would cut of $43 million, almost 80%, of the State Department/USAID Complex Crises Fund. The administration stated in its proposal that the Complex Crises Fund copies other foreign efforts, so it uses more money than is necessary.

Inter-American Foundation – $27 million

The Inter-American foundation, which allocates grants to Latin America and the Caribbean, will be cut by $27 million, over half of its budget. The proposal critiques such funds as “littered with anti-American activities.” It also states that this proposed cut aligns with the Trump executive order calling for the elimination of all functions of the IAF that are not mandated by law.

African Development Foundation – $22 million

The African Development Foundation, which provides grants directly to African businesses, will be cut by $22 million, almost half of its budget. The programs not mandated by law will be eliminated and those that remain will be used at a minimum, aligning with Trump’s executive order on the federal bureaucracy.

RESCISSIONS FATE UNCLEAR AS CENTRISTS’ CONCERNS OVER PUBLIC BROADCASTING CUTS THREATEN TO TANK BILL

U.S. Institute of Peace – $15 million

The U.S. Institute of Peace’s budget will be cut by $15 million. The proposal states that the mitigations and interventions by USIP conflicted with American values and “may have harmed American interests.” USIP’s functions that are not required by law will be removed.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting – $1.07 billion

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will also be completely defunded of its $1.07 billion budget. The appropriations, which typically go to sources such as PBS, would go to public broadcasting entities in order to reduce what the proposal calls a biased media system.