Congress Spares Trump's Broad Spending Cuts, Keeps Programs Funded

Congress largely rejected President Trump’s request for deep, sweeping budget cuts, passing bipartisan funding bills that keep most federal programs funded and only modestly trim a few, including maintaining NASA and NSF funding and preserving Voice of America, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The House approved funding for State and Treasury and foreign aid with more than Trump’s request but below current levels, and eight of twelve appropriation bills have moved forward as lawmakers race toward a Jan. 30 deadline. The White House’s attempt to cancel IRS funding was blocked, while disagreements remain over Homeland Security and immigration policy.