The White House is sending a $9.4 billion spending cuts package to Congress, targeting NPR, PBS, and USAID amid Elon Musk's DOGE departure.

Trump Administration Pushes Fiscal Austerity

The White House is preparing to deliver a sweeping $9.4 billion rescissions package to Congress next week, as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to curtail discretionary federal spending. The move reflects recommendations by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-era initiative most recently overseen by Elon Musk.

An official from the Office of Management and Budget confirmed the rescissions plan would affect key federal outlays, including funds allocated to NPR, PBS, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. These funds had previously been approved through the annual congressional appropriations process.

Under federal law, once the package is submitted, lawmakers have 45 days to act before the proposed cuts are nullified. The strategy targets discretionary spending — funding that Congress determines yearly — in contrast to the “big, beautiful bill” passed last week in the House, which focuses on mandatory government expenditures through budget reconciliation.

Elon Musk Criticizes ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Elon Musk, who has overseen DOGE's operations, is stepping back from his role but remains outspoken. In recent remarks, he expressed disappointment with the tax-and-spending legislation that cleared the House last week. “A bill can be big, or it could be beautiful. But I don’t know if it could be both,” Musk said, adding to the ongoing fiscal debate.

In response, House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the House’s readiness to act on the new rescissions. “The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand,” Johnson said on social media.

He outlined a two-step approach: swift legislative action once the rescissions package is received, followed by the integration of DOGE findings into the FY 2026 appropriations process.

Republican Division on Musk’s Role

Musk’s criticism has drawn mixed reactions from congressional Republicans. One anonymous GOP lawmaker argued that Musk’s contributions failed to address waste sufficiently, calling the DOGE initiative “a gimmick.” In contrast, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris supported Musk’s assessment, raising concerns about long-term deficits and debt market instability.

As the White House prepares its rescissions package for FY 2025, lawmakers face mounting deadlines. The 45-day window for action on the cuts is only one challenge. Identical spending bills for FY 2026 must also pass both chambers by September 30 to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The budget battle is likely to intensify in the coming weeks as Congress balances fiscal discipline with political division, amid the shifting leadership dynamics of DOGE and continued pressure from the Trump administration for deep cuts to federal spending.