07/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/17/2025 11:42
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) released the following statement after Senate Republicans passed legislation to cut funding already appropriated by Congress, including critical funds for foreign assistance and public broadcasting. The Senator joined every Democrat in opposing the bill.
"Months after this administration illegally impounded congressional funding, and just days after the President enacted a law that would balloon the deficit, Senate Republicans passed another deeply flawed bill that slashes key funding priorities our nation depends on.
"Democrats offered several amendments to defend against unnecessary cuts to our foreign aid priorities and public broadcasting. Though we were successful in preserving PEPFAR, this legislation is a step backward for America's reputation on the world stage. Not only have Republicans signaled to the world that we are unreliable partners in combating humanitarian crises and disease, but we have also greatly put American safety at risk by limiting public broadcasting, which is vital resource of information for rural and underserved communities.
"Unfortunately, this was yet another example of Republicans reneging on previous bipartisan budget agreements and failing to stand up for our most basic and commonsense values."
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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.