Rep. McCollum Statement on Rescissions Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late Thursday night, the House of Representatives passed President Trump’s rescissions package on a vote of 216-213. The bill would rescind over $9 billion in federal spending that was passed on a bipartisan basis by defunding public broadcasting and clawing back funding for international development. Upon passage of the bill, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement:

“In yet another late-night vote, Republicans jammed through a bill that undermines and outright destroys long-held, bipartisan American values. I joined all my Democratic colleagues in voting NO on this reckless and damaging bill,” said Congresswoman McCollum.  

“This Republican rescissions bill undercuts the safety of our communities and America’s national security by clawing back funding for public broadcasting and international development. Why? Because President Trump demanded it, despite the fact that Congress passed this funding on a bipartisan basis and Trump signed it into law a mere four months ago. Not only does rescission fail to make any logical sense – it hasn’t been done since 1992 –Republicans are surrendering to Trump the Congressional control of funding for the public good. This will hurt us both at home and abroad. 

“For 50 years, public broadcasting has received bipartisan support because Congress has continuously recognized that access to public media is in the public’s best interest. But this bill eliminates federal funding for millions of Americans who rely on public media. In an emergency—when the power goes out and cell networks or the internet go down—public radio is the most reliable form of communication. Public radio stations offer live news during disasters, providing real-time information to local listeners on available resources and safe locations.

“H.R. 4 will also rescind critical foreign assistance funding that was appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis 4 months ago. This rescission will stop lifesaving food assistance for families, and core nutrition services for children under five. This week, it was uncovered that the State Department is incinerating nearly 500 tons of emergency food that was already purchased to go to starving children. How many lives could have been saved if we just kept our commitments? This horrifying waste and ineptitude leaves a vacuum of leadership in the most vulnerable places in the world – a void that will be filled by China and Russia.

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