Democratic Senators have voiced sharp opposition to the Rescission Act of 2025, warning of its sweeping impact on critical public programs. The final vote in the Senate passed 51–48, with only two Republican Senators—Collins and Murkowski—joining Democrats in voting no.

While the Senate removed a proposed $400 million cut to PEPFAR, the revised bill still advances $9 billion in rescissions and now awaits final passage in the House. Below are statements from Democratic Senators responding to the bill’s passage.

 

Sen. Chris Coons (D–DE)

“Tonight, Republicans in the Senate voted to further weaken our nation’s reputation as a good and reliable partner.

“This is not about tackling our national debt. After all, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the trillions of dollars in tax breaks for the wealthy and increased debt that these same Republican senators passed just days ago. Cutting foreign aid and disaster assistance leaves people in dire situations across the world to fend for themselves or walk into the arms of China, Russia, and terrorists who seek to exploit them.

“For decades, when the world cried out in pain America answered, because it was right, and because it made us safer. These cuts fly in the face of Jesus’ call to love our neighbors as ourselves. They fly in the face of national security experts who say that these investments make us a more respected and stronger country. They fly in the face of human decency.
— Statement on Coons website

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D–WI)

“Last night, Republicans gutted funding for our local public TV and radio – something that folks in Wisconsin, especially in our rural communities, rely on in cases of emergencies like floods, storms, and AMBER Alert

“And why? Because Donald Trump told them to."
— Statement on BlueSky

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D–NY)

“Today, Senate Republicans turn this chamber into a subservient rubber stamp for the executive … Republicans embrace the credo of cut, cut, cut now, and ask questions later.
- The Guardian

Sen. Patty Murray (D–WA)

“We have never, never before seen bipartisan investments, slashed through a partisan rescissions package. Do not start now. Not when we are working, at this very moment, in a bipartisan way to pass our spending bills…

As I said earlier, bipartisanship doesn’t end with any one line being crossed, it erodes, it breaks down bit by bit, until one day there is nothing left.”
- Government Executive