H.R. 4 · 119th Congress · House
Rescissions Act of 2025
Introduced 2025-06-06 · Sponsored by Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1] (R-LA) · Last updated 2026-03-31
Last action (2025-07-24): Became Public Law No: 119-28.
Summary
Congress clawed back $9.4 billion in federal money that had been allocated but not yet spent, mostly from the State Department, USAID, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The idea is straightforward: if the money hasn't been committed to a specific project yet, pull it back to reduce the deficit. Critics argue these cuts weaken diplomacy and foreign aid programs that prevent costlier military interventions down the line.
The Good
Reduces federal spending by rescinding $9.4 billion in unobligated funds
Targets funds that were appropriated but not yet committed to specific projects or contracts. Rescinding unobligated balances is one of the cleaner ways to reduce spending because it does not cancel work already underway.
Reasserts congressional power of the purse
By actively deciding which unspent funds to claw back, Congress exercises its constitutional authority over spending rather than letting agencies accumulate balances indefinitely. This is a legitimate oversight function regardless of which party controls Congress.
Reduces deficit without raising taxes or cutting active programs
Rescissions target money that has not been spent, making them less disruptive than cuts to ongoing programs. The CBO scored the savings as real deficit reduction.
The Bad
Cuts to State Department and USAID affect diplomacy and foreign aid
A significant portion of the rescissions target State Department and USAID accounts. These cuts affect foreign aid programs, embassy operations, and international development work. Former diplomats and military leaders argue that diplomacy funding prevents costlier military interventions.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting cuts affect rural media access
The bill rescinds funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports local radio and television stations. In rural areas where commercial media presence is thin, public broadcasting is often the only source of local news, emergency alerts, and educational programming.
Unobligated does not mean unneeded
Funds may be unobligated because they are earmarked for multi-year projects that have not yet reached the contracting phase. Rescinding these balances can cancel planned work that agencies had budgeted for, effectively killing projects mid-pipeline without a hearing on their merits.
Vote Record
Senate, 2025-07-17
Passage (Senate)
Passed Congress.gov — Senate Roll Call #411
Senate vote by state
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Senate, 2025-07-16
Senate Vote
Failed Congress.gov — Senate Roll Call #403
Senate vote by state
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Senate, 2025-07-15
Motion to Proceed
Passed Congress.gov — Senate Roll Call #392
Senate vote by state
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House, 2025-06-12
Passage (House)
Passed Congress.gov — House Roll Call #168
House vote by state
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All Sources
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