Congress votes to cancel $7.2B in foreign aid and public broadcasting
S. 2067 — Rescissions Act of 2025 · Filed by Eric Schmitt (R-MO) · 6 cosponsors · Introduced Jun 12, 2025
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill cancels approximately $7.2 billion in unspent federal money that Congress had already appropriated for foreign aid, international peacekeeping, global health programs, refugee assistance, and domestic public broadcasting. The President requested these cancellations in June 2025, and this bill enacts them immediately, preventing these funds from being spent on their original purposes.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole function is to cancel previously appropriated budget authority across foreign assistance, international organizations, and public broadcasting. It is a straightforward rescission vehicle with no hidden mechanisms—the operative text plainly lists each account and dollar amount being eliminated.
What the text implies
- Rescission of $800M in Migration and Refugee Assistance may reduce U.S. capacity to process asylum claims and resettle refugees, potentially affecting border operations and international treaty obligations.
- Elimination of $1.65B in Economic Support Fund and $2.5B in Development Assistance may weaken U.S. diplomatic leverage in regions of strategic interest (Europe, Eurasia, Central Asia, Africa).
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Ordinary Americans lose access to foreign aid, refugee assistance, global health programs, and public broadcasting that Congress had already authorized and funded. While deficit reduction may have abstract long-term benefits, the immediate effect is the elimination of specific public services and international commitments without replacement or alternative funding.