House Speaker Mike Johnson secured a narrow 214-212 victory for a $9.4 billion spending cut bill, known as a 'rescissions' bill, targeting USAID and public broadcasting. This win, achieved by convincing two Republicans to switch their votes, marks another instance of Johnson navigating the House GOP to a slim victory on a tough bill, despite a chaotic news day dominated by an incident involving Sen. Alex Padilla.
How Johnson pulled off another impossible win with just 1-vote margin on $9.4B spending cut bill
PoliticsCongressUnited StatesMike-johnson
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️House Speaker Mike Johnson secured a narrow 214-212 victory for a $9.4 billion spending cut bill, known as a 'rescissions' bill, targeting USAID and public broadcasting. This win, achieved by convincing two Republicans to switch their votes, marks another instance of Johnson navigating the House GOP to a slim victory on a tough bill, despite a chaotic news day dominated by an incident involving Sen. Alex Padilla.
Trending- 1 March: Lawmakers green-lit the money later targeted for cuts.
- 2 February: House narrowly approved initial framework for the Big, Beautiful Bill (217-215).
- 3 A few weeks later (after February): House approved an interim spending bill to avoid a government shutdown (217-213).
- 4 Mid-April: House and Senate finally aligned on the Big, Beautiful Bill blueprint (House adopted Senate's, 216-214).
- 5 Mid-May: House passed the initial version of the Big, Beautiful Bill (215-214 with one 'present').
- 6 Last Thursday afternoon: House voted 214-212 to strip USAID and public broadcasting of $9.4 billion.
- 7 Thursday (same day): Shocking video of feds tangling with Sen. Alex Padilla consumed news.
- $9.4 billion in spending cuts were approved
- Republicans can now focus on larger spending cut requests from the Trump administration
- Speaker Johnson solidified his reputation for passing tough bills with slim majorities
What: The House of Representatives passed a $9.4 billion 'rescissions' bill to cut spending from USAID and public broadcasting.
When: Last Thursday afternoon (vote); earlier on Thursday (uncertainty); March (money green-lit); February (initial framework for Big, Beautiful Bill); mid-April (House and Senate aligned on blueprint); mid-May (initial Big, Beautiful Bill passed).
Where: House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., United States.
Why: Republicans aimed to fulfill promises of cutting spending and reducing the deficit, making good on proposed cuts from DOGE (though Congress retains spending authority).
How: Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer engaged in floor huddles and conversations, convincing Reps. Nick LaLota and Don Bacon to switch their 'nay' votes to 'yes,' securing the 214-212 margin.