Technical corrections only. v7 incorporates standard public law formatting, including GPO page numbers, approval date, and legislative history, and adds editorial annotations. No substantive policy changes were made to the rescissions outlined in v6.
Rescissions Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1]
- Committees
- Budget Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 24, 2025
Bottom line
The bill enacts significant cuts to foreign aid, international organizations, and public broadcasting by rescinding nearly $8 billion in previously appropriated but unobligated funds and future appropriations.
What it actually does
This Act rescinds approximately $7.94 billion in unobligated budget authority across various international affairs and foreign aid programs, as well as future funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. These rescissions are made pursuant to special messages from the President, targeting funds previously appropriated in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. The bill specifies certain programs and countries that are exempt from these cuts.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that these rescissions are a necessary step to reduce federal spending and address the national debt, reallocating taxpayer money away from programs deemed less critical or inefficient. They emphasize the importance of fiscal discipline and ensuring that appropriated funds are used effectively, suggesting that these unobligated balances represent opportunities for savings without impacting essential services.
Opponents contend
Opponents contend that these rescissions will undermine critical U.S. foreign policy objectives, humanitarian efforts, and international partnerships, potentially harming global health initiatives, refugee assistance, and diplomatic influence. They argue that cutting these funds could lead to greater instability, reduce America's ability to respond to crises, and weaken soft power, ultimately costing more in the long run.
The bill is concise and can be read quickly, but understanding the full implications of each rescission requires familiarity with the affected programs and prior appropriations.
Section 2(b)(1)
Rescission of Funds for Contributions to International Organizations (FY2024)
This provision rescinds $33,008,764 from unobligated balances previously made available under the 'Contributions to International Organizations' heading by the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024. These funds were intended to support U.S. participation and contributions to various international bodies.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this rescission contributes to fiscal responsibility by reducing spending on international organizations, potentially redirecting funds to domestic priorities or reducing the national debt.
Critics contend
Critics contend that reducing contributions to international organizations could diminish U.S. influence on global issues and hinder multilateral efforts on shared challenges.
Tradeoffs
Balances the desire for fiscal savings against the potential impact on U.S. diplomatic engagement and global cooperation.
Section 2(b)(2)
Rescission of Funds for Contributions to International Organizations (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $168,837,230 from unobligated balances previously made available under the 'Contributions to International Organizations' heading by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds were designated for U.S. support of various international bodies and their operational budgets.
Section 2(b)(3)
Rescission of Funds for International Peacekeeping Activities (FY2024)
This provision rescinds $203,328,007 from unobligated balances under the 'Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities' heading from the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024. These funds were allocated for U.S. support of international peacekeeping missions.
Section 2(b)(4)
Rescission of Funds for International Peacekeeping Activities (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $157,906,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds were designated for U.S. financial support to various international peacekeeping operations.
Section 2(b)(5)
Rescission of Funds for Global Health Programs (FY2025) with Exemptions
This provision rescinds $500,000,000 from unobligated balances under 'Global Health Programs' from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. Crucially, none of these rescinded amounts can come from funds for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Nutrition, or Maternal and Child Health programs. However, the exemption for these specific programs does not apply to family planning and reproductive health programs, meaning funds for these areas are subject to rescission.
Section 2(b)(6)
Rescission of Funds for Migration and Refugee Assistance (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $800,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Migration and Refugee Assistance' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are typically used to provide humanitarian assistance and support to refugees and migrants globally.
Section 2(b)(7)
Rescission of Funds for Complex Crises Fund (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $43,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Complex Crises Fund' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. This fund is typically used to provide flexible and rapid response funding for unforeseen crises and conflicts.
Section 2(b)(8)
Rescission of Funds for Democracy Fund (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $83,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Democracy Fund' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. This fund supports initiatives aimed at promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance worldwide.
Section 2(b)(9)
Rescission of Funds for Economic Support Fund (FY2025) with Exemptions
This provision rescinds $1,650,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Economic Support Fund' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are typically used to promote economic and political stability in strategic partner countries. Importantly, none of the rescinded funds can come from assistance to Jordan, Egypt, or the Countering PRC Influence Fund.
Section 2(b)(10)
Rescission of Funds for Clean Technology Fund (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $125,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Contribution to the Clean Technology Fund' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. This fund supports projects in developing countries that contribute to the demonstration, deployment, and transfer of low-carbon technologies.
Section 2(b)(11)
Rescission of Funds for International Organizations and Programs (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $436,920,000 from unobligated balances under the 'International Organizations and Programs' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds support a broad range of multilateral initiatives and specialized agencies.
Section 2(b)(12)
Rescission of Funds for Development Assistance (FY2025) with Exemptions
This provision rescinds $2,500,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Development Assistance' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are crucial for long-term development efforts in various countries. However, none of the rescinded funds can come from Feed the Future Innovation Labs or the Countering PRC Influence Fund. Additionally, these rescissions cannot affect the administration of U.S. commodity-based food aid, including the Food for Peace program and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
Section 2(b)(13)
Rescission of Funds for Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $460,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are typically used to support democratic and economic transitions, security, and stability in these regions.
Section 2(b)(14)
Rescission of Funds for International Disaster Assistance (FY2025) with Exemptions
This provision rescinds $496,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'International Disaster Assistance' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are critical for responding to humanitarian emergencies worldwide. Importantly, none of the rescinded funds can affect the administration of U.S. commodity-based food aid, including the Food for Peace program and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
Section 2(b)(15)
Rescission of Funds for USAID Operating Expenses (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $125,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'United States Agency for International Development--Operating Expenses' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are used for the administrative and operational costs of USAID, which manages U.S. foreign development and humanitarian assistance.
Section 2(b)(16)
Rescission of Funds for Transition Initiatives (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $57,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Transition Initiatives' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. These funds are used to support rapid, short-term assistance to countries undergoing political transitions or emerging from conflict.
Section 2(b)(17)
Rescission of Funds for Inter-American Foundation (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $27,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'Inter-American Foundation' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. The Inter-American Foundation provides grants to grassroots organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean to support community-led development.
Section 2(b)(18)
Rescission of Funds for United States African Development Foundation (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $22,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'United States African Development Foundation' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. This foundation provides grants to African grassroots organizations and small businesses to promote economic development.
Section 2(b)(19)
Rescission of Funds for United States Institute of Peace (FY2025)
This provision rescinds $15,000,000 from unobligated balances under the 'United States Institute of Peace' heading from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. The Institute is a nonpartisan federal institution dedicated to preventing and resolving violent international conflicts.
Section 2(b)(20)(A)
Rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting Funds (FY2026)
This provision rescinds amounts made available for the 'Corporation for Public Broadcasting' for fiscal year 2026 by Public Law 118-47. Unlike other rescissions in the bill, this targets future appropriations rather than unobligated balances from prior years, effectively canceling federal funding for CPB for FY2026.
Section 2(b)(20)(B)
Rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting Funds (FY2027)
This provision rescinds amounts made available for the 'Corporation for Public Broadcasting' for fiscal year 2027 by Public Law 119-4. Similar to the FY2026 rescission, this targets future appropriations, effectively canceling federal funding for CPB for FY2027.
While $500 million is rescinded from Global Health Programs, funds for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Nutrition, or Maternal and Child Health are explicitly protected. However, the protection does NOT extend to family planning and reproductive health programs, meaning these are subject to the rescission.
Section 2(b)(5) Proviso
Why it matters:This structure is standard legislative practice for specifying exceptions, but the specific exclusion of family planning from protection is a politically sensitive detail that might be less prominent than a direct statement of cut.
Case for: Supporters of the bill argue this allows for targeted fiscal savings in areas deemed less critical while safeguarding core global health initiatives, reflecting specific policy priorities regarding family planning funding.
Case against: Critics contend that singling out family planning and reproductive health for cuts, even indirectly, undermines women's health and broader development goals, and that such a policy choice should be more transparently debated.
Estimated impact: A portion of the $500 million rescinded from Global Health Programs will come from family planning and reproductive health initiatives.
A $1.65 billion rescission from the Economic Support Fund explicitly exempts assistance to Jordan, Egypt, and the Countering PRC Influence Fund.
Section 2(b)(9) Proviso
Why it matters:This is a common legislative technique to protect specific, politically or strategically important programs from broader cuts, often a result of negotiation to secure passage.
Case for: Proponents argue these exemptions ensure that critical U.S. strategic interests and relationships with key allies are maintained despite overall foreign aid reductions.
Case against: Opponents might argue that such specific carve-outs demonstrate a lack of genuine commitment to across-the-board fiscal discipline, or that other equally vital programs are not afforded similar protections.
Estimated impact: The $1.65 billion rescission will be distributed among other Economic Support Fund recipients, ensuring continued aid to Jordan, Egypt, and the Countering PRC Influence Fund.
A $2.5 billion rescission from Development Assistance explicitly protects Feed the Future Innovation Labs and the Countering PRC Influence Fund. Furthermore, it states that none of the rescinded funds shall affect the administration of U.S. commodity-based food aid, including the Food for Peace program and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
Section 2(b)(12) Proviso
Why it matters:This structure is used to ensure that politically sensitive or critically important programs, particularly those related to food security and strategic competition, are shielded from broad budget cuts, often reflecting legislative compromises.
Case for: Supporters emphasize that these protections ensure vital food aid and strategic initiatives continue unimpeded, demonstrating a commitment to core humanitarian and foreign policy goals despite overall budget reductions.
Case against: Critics might argue that while these protections are important, the overall magnitude of the cut to general development assistance will still have significant negative impacts that cannot be fully mitigated by these carve-outs.
Estimated impact: The $2.5 billion rescission will be applied to other development assistance programs, while ensuring the continuity of Feed the Future Innovation Labs, Countering PRC Influence Fund, and commodity-based food aid administration.
The bill rescinds amounts made available for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Unlike other provisions which rescind 'unobligated balances,' these provisions rescind future appropriations, effectively eliminating federal funding for these future years.
Section 2(b)(20)(A) and (B)
Why it matters:This is a distinct type of rescission, targeting forward-looking appropriations rather than existing funds. Its placement at the end of the list, after numerous 'unobligated balances' items, could make its unique nature less apparent.
Case for: Proponents argue that this represents a clear policy decision to end federal subsidies for public broadcasting, encouraging it to become fully self-sufficient.
Case against: Critics contend that this effectively defunds public broadcasting for future years, threatening its long-term viability and its ability to provide essential public services.
Estimated impact: Elimination of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, representing a significant portion of its budget.