How MI Senators Voted On $9B Bill Cutting Public Broadcasting, Foreign Aid

MICHIGAN — Michigan senators voted against a $9 billion in federal spending cuts, including deep reductions in public broadcasting and foreign aid, passed early Thursday by the Senate.

Michigan senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, both Democrats, voted against the measure.

Peters said local public TV and radio stations are essential because they provide important information, such as emergency alerts.

"When catastrophic ice storms swept through Northern Michigan earlier this year, local radio stations literally saved lives by broadcasting emergency warnings after commercial towers went down," Peters said. "Those services and more are now at risk."

The legislation, one of President Donald Trump’s key priorities, would have a tiny impact on the nation’s rising debt but could have major ramifications for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and U.S. food aid internationally.

It also could complicate efforts to pass additional spending bills this year, as Democrats and even some Republicans voice objections to broadly ceding congressional spending power with little idea of how the White House Office of Management and Budget would apply the cuts.

Democrats sought to remove many of the proposed rescissions during the 12 hours of amendment votes. The measure passed on a vote of 51-48 just after 2 a.m. ET. None of the Democratic amendments were adopted.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the legislation.

If the House passes the bill, it would go to Trump’s desk for his signature.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.