Massive $7.5 Billion Rescission Act Cuts Global Health, Refugee Aid, and Future Funding for Public Broadcasting

The newly proposed Rescissions Act of 2025 is the legislative equivalent of canceling a massive, pre-paid order. This bill immediately wipes out approximately $7.5 billion in unspent funds that Congress had previously set aside for various international programs and operations. This isn't about cutting future spending; it's about clawing back money already appropriated but not yet spent, based on a proposal the President sent to Congress. If you’re tracking global stability, humanitarian efforts, or even just public media, these cuts are going to hit hard and fast.

The $7.5 Billion Clawback: Foreign Aid Takes the Biggest Hit

When you look at where the money is coming from, it’s clear the focus is on scaling back America’s international footprint. The bill targets massive amounts of money previously earmarked for foreign aid and diplomacy. For example, the Economic Support Fund is losing a staggering $1.65 billion, and Development Assistance is being slashed by $2.5 billion. These funds are the backbone of US-supported projects abroad, covering everything from infrastructure to economic stability programs. While the bill specifically protects aid already designated for key allies like Jordan and Egypt, and certain funds aimed at countering the influence of the PRC, the general pool of money available for development projects globally is about to shrink dramatically. Think of a major construction company suddenly losing half its project budget—it means fewer roads, fewer schools, and fewer stability programs built in developing nations.

Global Health and Humanitarian Programs Face Deep Cuts

Perhaps the most immediate real-world impacts will be felt in humanitarian and health sectors. The bill rescinds $800 million from Migration and Refugee Assistance, which is the money used to help people fleeing conflict and disaster find safety and basic necessities. Separately, Global Health Programs are losing $500 million. Here is where the fine print matters: the bill explicitly protects funds for major diseases like HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. However, it specifically does not protect funds for family planning and reproductive health programs. This means the $500 million cut can, and likely will, disproportionately impact those specific health services globally, potentially limiting access to critical care for millions of women and families.

Operational Budgets and Public Media Also on the Chopping Block

It’s not just the big aid packages getting hit; the agencies running these programs are also taking a cut. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which manages much of this aid, is losing $125 million from its operating expenses. When you cut the operational budget, you’re making it harder for the remaining aid money to be managed effectively—it’s like giving a construction manager a huge job but taking away their truck and half their team. On the domestic front, the bill also reaches into the future to cancel funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), rescinding money that was already set aside for both Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027. While CPB funding is a small drop in the overall federal budget, pulling this future funding means less long-term stability for public radio and television stations that often provide essential local news and educational content, especially in rural or underserved areas.