The U.S. Senate is set to begin voting Tuesday on former President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to slash $9.4 billion in previously approved federal spending—primarily targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting.

The vote marks a critical test of Trump’s influence over the Republican-controlled Senate as lawmakers face a Friday deadline to approve or reject the proposal, known as a rescissions package. If the Senate fails to act in time, the proposed cuts will expire and the White House must follow Congress’s original spending plan.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune acknowledged the uncertainty over the bill's fate.

“I’m fine with it as is,” Thune said, “but we’re trying to find out if there’s a path forward that gets us 51 votes and stays consistent with the White House proposal.”

The rescissions request includes $8.3 billion in foreign aid reductions and $1.1 billion in cuts to public broadcasting. While relatively minor within the $6.8 trillion federal budget, the proposal has sparked backlash from Democrats and moderate Republicans who view it as an overreach and an erosion of Congress's power over federal appropriations.

Critics say the proposed cuts would undermine life-saving global health initiatives—including maternal and child health programs and the fight against HIV/AIDS—as well as reduce funding for public media, often a vital source of information in rural communities.

“What is going on here? Does anyone stand up to these horrible, horrible cuts that hurt the American people?” asked Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday.

Trump has threatened to withhold endorsements from Republican lawmakers who fail to back the measure as-is, increasing internal party pressure.