Senate Republicans will scale back the White House’s $9.4 billion spending clawback request as they look to shore up their vote count.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), who is leading the rescissions effort in concert with the White House, said Republicans will remove a $400 million cut to the global AIDS program known as PEPFAR, bringing the total amount of cuts in the package down to $9 billion.
Schmitt’s comments came after White House Budget Director Russ Vought briefed senators during a closed-door lunch. Schmitt said the White House is on board with the change, which he said is currently the only one being made to the bill.
Any changes to the Senate product will necessitate another House vote ahead of a Friday deadline for action on the request.
