57e3d4eb 46b6 4ec5 92d4 36955ca0cc65 · 14 questions

Speaker Johnson delivers narrow 216-213 rescission victory

Nine-billion-dollar rescission returns spending power to Congress·July 19, 2025

On Jul. 18, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) by a razor-thin 216-213 vote, completing congressional approval of President Donald Trump's request to claw back $9 billion in previously appropriated federal spending. Republican Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mike Turner of Ohio broke with their party to join all Democrats in opposition. Speaker Mike Johnson personally lobbied wavering Republicans during the floor vote.

The Senate had passed its amended version the previous day, Jul. 17, 2025, by a 51-48 vote after a grueling 13-hour vote-a-rama. Vice President JD Vance cast two tie-breaking votes to advance the bill past procedural hurdles. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined all Democrats in opposing the final passage.

Key facts

The House passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) on Jul. 18, 2025, by a 216-213 vote. Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Turner voted with all Democrats against the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson personally convinced wavering members to flip their votes.

The Senate passed its amended version on Jul. 17, 2025, by a 51-48 vote after a 13-hour vote-a-rama. Vice President JD Vance cast two tie-breaking votes to advance the bill. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski were the only Republicans to vote no.

Senate Republicans removed $400 million in proposed cuts to PEPFAR, the HIV/AIDS program, after internal objections threatened passage. The final bill rescinded $7.9 billion from foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

President Trump signed the bill into law on Jul. 24, 2025 (Public Law 119-28). This marked the first successful presidential rescission under the Impoundment Control Act since 1992.

CPB announced on Aug. 1, 2025 it would wind down operations and formally voted to dissolve on Jan. 5, 2026, ending 58 years of federal support for public broadcasting. Rural stations dependent on CPB funding faced immediate closure.