Illustration: Aïda Amer / Axios
The House on Thursday is expected to pass a rescissions package and codify $900 million of DOGE-directed cuts to global health programs. But the Senate will have the final say on how sweeping the clawbacks really are.
Why it matters: Cuts to the PEPFAR in the package could limit HIV/AIDS prevention and treatments for millions around the world.
- Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins said this week that "we're still figuring out the procedure, but I'm opposed to the cuts in PEPFAR."
Catch up quick: The $9.4 billion rescissions package the White House sent to the Hill included cuts to State Department and USAID global health programs.
- It called for eliminating $500 million for USAID programs addressing child and maternal health and infectious diseases, and $400 million for HIV/AIDS prevention, which includes PEPFAR.
Between the lines: The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up the rescissions package if it passes the House on Thursday.
- The package can be amended, but no additional rescissions can be added, per a Senate Appropriations aide.
- That means it's possible that Collins or other senators could offer an amendment to strike or lower the size of the PEPFAR cuts.
What's next: Senate Appropriations has 25 days to act on the bill.
- Congress has 45 days to pass the rescissions package, for a deadline of July 18. It requires only a simple majority vote in the Senate.
