Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell was one of three Republicans to vote against advancing a $9.4 billion rescission package proposed by the Trump administration.
After some concessions, the package narrowly moved forward July 15 with a 51-50 vote that needed a tie break from Vice President JD Vance. Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski also broke party lines to vote with Democrats against advancing the bill.
Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky’s junior senator, voted in favor of advancing the package, despite recent public tension with President Donald Trump.
‘People will be less safe’: How public media funding cuts could hurt Kentucky
The rescissions would strip funding to several foreign aid agencies, as well as $1.1 billion in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding for local stations across the country. U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville has said cuts to broadcast funding will impact public safety communication, including emergency weather alerts in rural areas.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote. Final approval of the package must be done by July 18. If it does not pass by that date, the Trump administration will be required to release the funds.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: McConnell votes against advancing foreign aid, public media cuts