Republicans pass spending bill that includes $643M for Trump-opposed media agency

Regardless of President Donald Trump’s earlier makes an attempt to close it down, Republicans permitted a spending package deal that features $643 million for the US Company for World Media (USAGM), selecting legislative unity over a combat that would have derailed the must-pass spending invoice.

The transfer underscored the GOP’s ongoing battle to pursue get together targets whereas crafting laws that may unite Republicans amid razor-thin margins within the Home of Representatives.

The funding will go to radio, web, tv and broadcasting subsidies within the Center East. The difficulty was handed by each homes of Congress this week as a part of this yr’s Nationwide Safety, Division of State and Associated Packages Act (NSRP).

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., one of many lawmakers who labored on the NSRP, mentioned the ultimate quantity got here from conversations with Kari Lake, a senior adviser to the company with shut ties to the president.

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U.S. Company for World Media Senior Advisor Kari Lake holds up a photograph, which she says exhibits an empty Voice of America (VOA) newsroom, as she speaks throughout a Home Committee on International Affairs listening to on June 25, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Joe Raedle/Getty Photos)

“It appeared to me like we had been on the identical workforce on this,” Alford mentioned when requested about these conversations. “I proceed to speak along with her typically and sit up for working along with her as she makes an attempt to rectify this program and return it to its authentic intent.”

Early in his second time period, Trump issued an govt order shutting down USAGM, Voice of America’s mum or dad group. He claimed that the group was clearly in opposition to Republican rules and didn’t serve the nation’s home pursuits. Nonetheless, when the courts dominated that the federal government didn’t have the ability obligatory to chop off funding permitted by Congress, the company remained in place.

Regardless of the continued funding, Alford believes Republicans have taken a step towards the president’s needs, noting that the NSRP invoice reduces the company’s finances.

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President Donald Trump solutions questions from members of the press aboard Air Pressure One on January 11, 2026, whereas touring from Palm Seashore, Florida. (Samuel Corum/Getty Photos)

“I believe that the cuts we’re making, specifically a 25 p.c discount, are an necessary step ahead to additionally meet the needs of Kari Lake. I hope we are able to do much more with the 2027 appropriations invoice,” Alford mentioned.

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., who voted to advance the NSRP funding invoice and its provision on USAGM, mentioned he personally needs the funding eradicated.

“I would favor the federal authorities to offer zero funding,” Higgins mentioned simply earlier than Wednesday’s vote. “We assist the president’s govt actions and govt orders, and we’re making an attempt to codify them. We simply haven’t got more money to spend on issues.”

“However I will not let that cease me from supporting the bigger measure,” he added.

Higgins, a member of the fiscally conservative Home Freedom Caucus, mentioned Republicans should choose their battles rigorously amid a razor-thin two-seat majority within the Home of Representatives following the retirement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and the sudden demise of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., earlier this month.

Republicans will proceed to face questions within the coming weeks about the way to pursue get together priorities as they work by this yr’s remaining spending laws.

“We do not have the posh of simply going in opposition to our personal payments. It is simply so tight, man. So our aim is to move our laws — particularly whenever you’re confronted with the choice of a authorities shutdown,” Higgins mentioned, noting the fallout that might observe if Congress fails to move the spending laws.

At the moment, Republicans solely have a two-seat majority within the Home.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks to reporters after a Home Republican Convention assembly on the Capitol Hill Membership in Washington, September 9, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc. by way of Getty Photos)

Requested whether or not Democrats had pushed to incorporate the USAGM funding within the NSRP package deal, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Unwell., didn’t describe the talks however famous that the package deal was the results of bipartisan negotiations.

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“How issues get into these appropriations payments on this local weather — all we’re doing is advocating and leveraging what we’ve. Some days you are the bug, different days you are the windshield,” Quigley mentioned.

The NSRP, which has handed each chambers of Congress, now heads to Trump’s desk for his signature.