ND North News

By a vote of 51 to 48, the United States Senate has passed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which aims to rescind $9 billion in federal funds deemed unnecessary. The bill had previously been approved by the House of Representatives in June with a close vote of 214 to 212 and will now return to the House for final consideration.

The Rescissions Act of 2025 includes $9 billion in cuts requested by the Trump administration, focusing on unobligated balances. According to the Impoundment Control Act, Congress must act on these cuts within a 45-day period; otherwise, the funding remains available. The bill is expected to be sent to President Trump's desk by Friday.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who supported the legislation, stated: “After four years of reckless spending by the Biden administration, President Trump is right to request this cut in wasteful spending and Congress was right to pass it. This bill reclaims taxpayer dollars for hardworking North Dakotans and Americans, but this is only the beginning. Congress and the administration have a lot more work to do to restore accountability and fiscal sanity to Washington.”

Among other things, this package affects funding for organizations like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The Trump administration labeled these funds as subsidizing a "politically biased" media system that burdens taxpayers unnecessarily.

Despite legal requirements for CPB's nonpartisan stance, it has funded content related to gender transitions in minors and other topics considered controversial by some lawmakers. NPR has also faced criticism over its coverage choices.

The rescissions will not impact emergency broadcast services; North Dakota radio stations will continue their critical operations under FCC requirements. Other programs like FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System remain fully funded.

Additional budget cuts include foreign aid projects perceived as conflicting with American interests or outside Congressional intent—such as promoting veganism in Zambia or funding pride parades in Lesotho—while safeguarding core Global Health Program initiatives like PEPFAR and maternal health efforts.