Senator Collins’ Statement on Rescissions Package
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on her vote against discharging the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) rescissions package.
“The rescissions package has a big problem – nobody really knows what program reductions are in it. That isn’t because we haven’t had time to review the bill. Instead, the problem is that OMB has never provided the details that would normally be part of this process.
“Congress approves rescissions regularly. When we do it as part of the annual appropriations process, we do so with an understanding of what we are cutting. This was also the case in 1992, the last time Congress approved rescissions under the Impoundment Control Act. That just isn’t the case here. The sparse text that was sent to Congress included very little detail and does not give an accounting of the specific program cuts that would total $9.4 billion. For example, there are $2.5 billion in cuts to the Development Assistance account, which covers everything from basic education, to water and sanitation, to food security – but we don’t know how those programs will be affected.
“OMB has cited some examples of wasteful grants. For instance, I agree that it is not a good use of taxpayer dollars to promote vegan food in Zambia, which was a Biden Administration grant. I am confident that such wasteful spending will not occur under the Trump Administration.
“I am pleased that the Administration has abandoned its original request to impose a $400 million cut to PEPFAR, the successful global AIDS prevention program that has saved 26 million lives and allowed nearly 8 million babies to be born HIV-free to mothers living with HIV.
“Moreover, the excessive cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would harm local programming and the accessibility to popular programs like ‘Antiques Road Show’ and ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.’ I share the frustration with the biased reporting by NPR, and I would support defunding it. Nevertheless, local TV and radio stations continue to provide important coverage. In Maine, this funding supports the emergency alert network, coverage of high school basketball championships, a locally produced high school quiz show, and classical music stations.
“I recognize the need to reduce excessive spending and I have supported rescissions in our appropriations bills many times, including the 70 rescissions that were included in the year-long funding bill that we are currently operating under. But to carry out our Constitutional responsibility, we should know exactly what programs are affected and the consequences of the rescissions.”
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