STATEMENT: Congressional Republicans Have Blown Up the Bipartisan Appropriations Process, Says CAP’s Neera Tanden

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s rescissions package, cutting $9 billion in public broadcast funding and foreign aid. Following the vote, Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, shared the following statement:

By rubber-stamping Trump’s rescissions package on a partisan basis, congressional Republicans have blown up the traditionally bipartisan appropriations process. In fact, OMB Director Russell Vought just yesterday said he wanted less bipartisanship in appropriations. The effect of this will be more shutdowns and more dysfunction.

This package’s cuts to public broadcasting will have a devastating impact on rural and Tribal communities. Multiple senators are banking on a handshake agreement with Trump that the administration will redirect unrelated funds to a fraction of the 1,500 local TV and radio stations—which provide lifesaving warnings to rural communities—supported by these programs. In addition to slashing funds that support U.S. businesses abroad and counter the influence of China, this maneuver undermines a bipartisan spending agreement just as congressional appropriators lay plans for the coming fiscal year. Members should take note.

This rescissions package puts America’s global leadership and our democracy at risk. Our country desperately needs Congress to step up and serve as a check on an administration hellbent on destroying what makes America great.

For more information or to speak to an expert, contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].