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SPEAKER 1
Hey everybody, Tim Miller from The Bulwark here. We have some breaking news tonight. The Senate, as we speak, is waiting on J.D. Vance to cast the tie-breaking vote on a rescissions package that would cut about $9 billion in previously appropriated funds from the budget. A bunch of stuff in there,
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but I want to focus on just this small line item in the grand scheme of things, $100 million That would go to UNICEF, the United International Children's Emergency Fund, UNICEF stands for. And previously, there had been a bipartisan effort to support this organization. It helps feed and take care of the most vulnerable children throughout the world.
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It is, again, a pretty small line item in the grand scheme of things. Just to kind of put context into where we are, and then I want to get into the specifics of this UNICEF funding and just how outrageous it is. As I mentioned, there's a 50-50 vote that has happened in the Senate.

BREAKING: GOP Threatens UNICEF Cuts

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Tim Miller takes on the Senate vote that threatens critical UNICEF funding—putting children’s lives at risk around the world. Republicans are pushing a budget cut that targets aid for the most vulnerable, despite recent massive spending elsewhere.

Take immediate action and call your senators now: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

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Discussion about this video

User's avatar
Virgin Monk Boy's avatar

The same party that cries “protect the children” at drag brunches is now trying to starve kids overseas so Raytheon can get a raise.

UNICEF’s budget? Too expensive. Cluster munitions for proxy wars? Patriotic bargain.

If hypocrisy were a renewable resource, the GOP could power the grid.

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Sharon L. James's avatar

Tim, obviously an important matter and even more cruelty. But my question to you is - do you have a clone or identical twin? You are everywhere!! 😍

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Elizjteacher's avatar

My senator is Mike Lee. He is an arrogant, immoral man. He also pretends to be Mormon-I think the elders of his church are horrified by his lack of integrity and cruelty.

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gerri caldarola's avatar

Especially, if it's people of color...

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gerri caldarola's avatar

Remember they only like the "unborn" not any live child here in the US or abroad.

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gerri caldarola's avatar

JD is such a "Christian" -- I sure hope he does believe in god because no Roman Catholic confession will wipe this away.

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Shana Heartsill's avatar

KT Bitch called, went to VM, both offices. My voice was wavering trying not to cry, but I called. Also, if folks don't already know I am told it is important to leave your name and address, I presume so they know it is someone in their state? Might want to add that when asking people to call.

I know I am preaching to the choir, but I am so heartbroken that we can't provide even a small amount of aid to vulnerable people. I mean, they are going to incinerate food meant for starving children rather than allowing it to be distributed.

Even if the USA had to cut USAID they could have done it in a manner that allowed others to help fill some of the gap or to distribute what we'd already bought and paid for. The cruelty is beyond belief. It makes me want to believe in heaven and hell, just because these asshats deserve the lowest level of hell for eternity for what they are doing. It's so unnecessary.

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Shana Heartsill's avatar

Of course effing Katie Britt is on the thumbnail. She is evil. So embarrassed of the senators from my state.

Ok, just getting to you bringing up Katie Britt. I will call. Again. I will email. Again. That bitch won't do anything that doesn't serve her personally. But I will do what I can which isn't nearly enough.

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Bart Harley Jarvis's avatar

Tim, You omitted a word when describing the GOP - messaging. It’s the pro-life messaging party, the Christian messaging party.

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Jessica's avatar

Thank you Tim <3

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Nathan Gervais's avatar

Tim, I get the anger. I really do but cruelty is the brand for these people. They aren’t Christian. They aren’t conservative. They’re cruel. They’re radical.

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Liza's avatar

For an empathic party? For a pro-life party? Who are you talking about? Certainly not the Republican Party, which has exhibited only open hostility toward poor people generally, and poor dark people even more so. Prolife? Empathic? Lamentably, that’s not anyone in the Republican Party.

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Reldas's avatar

The parasite class are the 183 American billionaires and the three branches of government they have bought and paid for. Thanks Citizens United.

Billionaires live off the blood sweat and tears of the working class. They need to be reminded.

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DanceThisMessAround's avatar

Scott Galloway (May be getting the exact wording wrong), "America is essentially ok with 90% of Americans being nutrition for the top 10%."

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Reldas's avatar

I started adding Marxism to my lectures on Texas & American government. My mostly low income Hispanic students at a community college in Houston need to know labor theory just as much as separation of powers.

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DanceThisMessAround's avatar

Three cheers for you!

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Glenn's avatar

Thanx for your effort.

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Beverly Meredith's avatar

Cruelty is un-American!

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JVS's avatar

Given that Trump is all about grievance and retribution, maybe he feels like he's helping out Jon Voight by getting back at an organization his estranged daughter (Angelina Jolie) long supported and represented as well as an organization that other celebrities, who do not support him, have represented. That's very on brand and on point for him.

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Richard Yoast's avatar

Tim - well said and with feeling. Unfortunately you mentioned the cuts to public broadcasting as something that could be cut but the reasoning behind that cut is the same: Republicans have almost always been against almost everything that benefits the non-white public, the poor, those with less power and children. At times they have supported, although never wholeheartedly or even in their majority, some really good programs that helped millions. But look at how quickly they're willing to dump all of that as if their previous supports were mistakes. The current Trump Republican Party, having gotten rid of most of those who supported public health and measures to help the less fortunate, is now marked by a cruelty and hatred of the population characteristic of the totalitarian and fascist regimes. Making people suffer is a hallmark of what delights these people. Making people suffer for not being just like them is a consistent thread.

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Gail's avatar

It's hard to imagine any of these horrid people will be willing to stick their necks out for public broadcasting or international aid, if they've already caved on the big horrible bill. But I did write to friends and family who have red senators and reps to ask them to call.

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Debra K's avatar

Republicans also cut global funding for international abortion and family planning services in the name of “pro-life”. And then cut off the funding to keep the babies THEY FORCED to be born from suffering and dying. Truly despicable.

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Jerry Goff's avatar

Tim, great succinct message. It doesn't hurt to keep asking, "What's wrong with these people?"

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Debra K's avatar

Tim, thank you for bringing this to our attention. I appreciate you mentioning specific Senators. Cutting these funds because Trump wants them to tells us everything we need to know about the values of the totally corrupted amoral Republican Party.

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Stacey Cameron's avatar

Im with you Tim, but there are no surprises here, the cruelty is the point. They basically hate anyone who's not "them"

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Joe's avatar

6:00 they can find the room. What they can't find is the values.

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Carol Ann's avatar

Donate to UNICEF, too: we won't hit $100M, but every dollar is a day's worth of food for a child:

https://www.unicefusa.org/

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Debra K's avatar

And buy your Christmas cards from UNICEF too!

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Miles's avatar

Any money that is allocated must have Trump’s name associated with it, otherwise it is waste, fraud, and abuse. (maybe if USAID was TRUMP-AID it would have been spared?).

Just thinking out-loud here...

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Carol Ann's avatar

Thank you, Tim. I just went online & donated to UNICEF. Those SOBs - I sincerely hope there is a hell.

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Carol Ann's avatar

I know my Senators and Congress member are voting no on this, I'm in MA (Cape Cod).

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drlemaster's avatar

My gut feeling is that a chunk of the MAHA and tech bro types are eugenicists on some level, and see programs which lower third-world child mortality as a bad thing.

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Carol Ann's avatar

ugh. but believable.

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Carrie's avatar

Yes! Contact your Senators and Rep. You will feel better (even if they don't do the right thing). Keep up the pressure.

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Carrie's avatar

How can Christians cut funds to keep babies from starving? Because they are fake, phony, faux xtians. They are white supremacists masquerading as Christians. Who cares if a bunch of brown children in s-hole countries die? They are trying to get rid of all the brown people. Have more white babies. Have only white babies. It is all connected. They are evil.

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Tricia Simpson's avatar

Here’s a question for the President’s Faith office the next time Andrew Egger gets a seat in the press room — where do his ‘Faith’ advisors stand on the draconian cuts that impact children and families in the US and internationally? Just asking questions…

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Charlie Siefert's avatar

Man, all 3 of the no votes - McConnell, Murkowski, and Collins - have blown their credibility through their willingness to go along with the worst of Trump's crap.

The ONLY thing that any of them could do in hopes of reclaiming whatever reputation they may have once had would be to immediately resign and help the Democrats running for their seats get elected.

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Carrie's avatar

This is monstrous. What is wrong with these people?

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graceg's avatar

Tim, what can Dem constituents do about this? I'm in WA and my senators are already doing the right things. Can we call Republicans not as constituents but as concerned Christians? This cut is so sickening and totally needless...

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Gail's avatar

I wrote to friends and family in red states to ask them to call. If you've got someone who is close enough to act on your request, try it.

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Stephanie Pruett's avatar

I have contacted Katie Britt dozens of times. She genuinely does not seem to care. She only wants to stay in line with Trump.

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Adam J Schmidt's avatar

We used to collect spare change on Halloween for UNICEF. This is obscene.

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Carol Ann's avatar

Yes. The little orange milk cartons. :-(

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Steven Insertname's avatar

The cruelty is the point.

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Steven Insertname's avatar

Republicans whinging about the budget deficits was always performative and something they only ever cared about when they were the opposition party. Always.

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James Woodruff's avatar

Well said Tim. I’m afraid the pigs have built a stone Congress and all the righteous huffing and puffing will not bring their walls down, but the effort is still worth it. Not to try would be setting the first blocks in our own walls.

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Diane Sloss's avatar

And Trump expects a Nobel Peace Prize while he's killing people all around the world with his murderous policies. I think NOT.

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Christine Dahlke's avatar

My nephew works for UNICEF. I am heartsick over this.

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Jackie Banks's avatar

As economist say " A budget is (partially) a statement of your values".... I think MAGA has been very clear about what their values are!!!!!!!!

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Gail's avatar

Take out the "partially!" Budgets are entirely statements of values. 🙂 Show me your budget and I'll show you your priorities.

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Angie's avatar

I’m in MS, I called Sen Wicker. This, the 500 tons of emergency food ordered by the administration to be incinerated yesterday, Medicaid and SNAP, Abbott ordering kids and babies trying to cross to be pushed back into the Rio Grand. I mean what the fuck 😭🤬

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Chuck Aurora's avatar

Hi Angie, so am I (but just barely, walking distance from Alabama.) I'm wondering, is there a comprehensive list of the items being cut? I'd like to know before calling wicked Wicker. Perhaps there are things other than UNICEF I might want to rant about.

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Angie's avatar

Specifically, the bill rescinds funds that were provided to the State Department or the President for

Contributions to International Organizations;

Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities;

Global Health Programs;

Migration and Refugee Assistance;

the Complex Crises Fund;

the Democracy Fund;

the Economic Support Fund;

Contributions to the Clean Technology Fund;

International Organization and Programs;

Development Assistance;

Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia;

International Disaster Assistance; and

Transition Initiatives.

The bill also rescinds funds that were provided for

USAID Operating Expenses,

the Inter-American Foundation,

the U.S. African Development Foundation,

the U.S. Institute of Peace, and

the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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Angie's avatar

It’s H.R.4- Rescissions Act of 2025, but even the list of subjects covered is so long it won’t even fit into one screenshot 🙄. It’s on Congress.gov and, as usual, seems meant to overwhelm.

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Angie's avatar

I’m sure there is, I’ll see if I can find it!

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Hey Mama Warrior's avatar

Ugh. These. People. Tim - I appreciate your deep empathy and list of people to contact. Again - This regime’s Christians are in name only. If the bill passes, people in their states need to dress up as The Grim Reaper and carry ginormous Coins for UNICEF buckets on Halloween. Every time the kids ring the bell, just put that bucket out while pontificating on UNICEF. 🤦‍♀️

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Juliag707's avatar

I would try to contact my senator, Dave McCormick, but he is essentially Trump's lapdog. Knew it when he was running and has proven me right. Plus, he doesn't respond ever. Shameful. Can't wait until he has to run again...will work very hard to get him out of office.

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Sue Brody's avatar

I feel sick. The cruelty is the point. Thank you, Tim, for putting this information out. Let’s hope the sane Republicans do the right thing, but I don’t feel optimistic.

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Betty Doo's avatar

You have more faith in the humanity of these “Christians” than I… but I appreciate your appeal and your pain is palpable. Thank you.

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Chris Hays's avatar

Thank you, Tim.

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Lorissa Davies's avatar

Thank you so much for this report. I live in a blue state, but wrote a plea to my family in South Dakota and elsewhere to contact their senators. I don't know if they'll pay me any attention, but it can't hurt.

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Marta Layton's avatar

I'm in NC. The fact that Thom Tillis isn't yet voting against this is obscene. What more does he have to lose? (I already called him earlier today.)

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Parrhizzia's avatar

A few things, obviously.

1. Any post-political career on any corporate board or lobbying group.

2. Any political career for any family member.

3. Physical violence, both towards himself and his family.

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Marta Layton's avatar

Except Tillis has already taken the bigger step of being publicly threatened by Trump and not caving over the BBB. I can't imagine anything he does now making things worse along those lines.

More likely, he doesn't really want to spend tax money on what's essentially foreign aid and isn't looking for a way to spend more of it. I may like his spine, but he was never a moderate. Which isn't particularly surprising, though I still think he could do a lot of good here if he wanted to.

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Lily who reads The Bulwark's avatar

I see no reason to think these Temu Christians will care at all. They didn’t care about USAID. They won’t care about this.

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ruserious's avatar

Thank you for ‘Temu Christians’. It really sums it up. I will use that phrase often!

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Lalla Ward's avatar

Cruel, sadistic, utterly disgustingly grotesque. What kind of a Congress can possibly countenance such a heart-stoppingly vile administration? I feel ill.

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Anita Rehil's avatar

This is so sad.

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Susan Kemp's avatar

For “immigration police” substitute “SS.”

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Jane's avatar

They justify this the same way they justify ending USAID and incinerating 500 metric tons of food rather than send it where it is needed.

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Parrhizzia's avatar

Wait till you hear about the food being destroyed on the border of Israel and Gaza.

https://youtu.be/l3q7JqvE418?si=x81kY-B3fYbLT1R1

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Susan Kemp's avatar

How do you feel about having been a republican? Saint Ronnie started this.

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Anne H Ridley's avatar

Amen, Tim. How can you be pro-life and cut this miniscule amount from the budget? I've already written my senators but I live in Tennessee and they don't care. Hopefully, some of these other senators you mention will care.

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Kathleen's avatar

A pro-life party indeed. Good Christians. What a farce.

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Susan Kemp's avatar

How petty can they get? How many people can they throw in Alligator Auschwitz with that money?

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It is, again, a pretty small line item in the grand scheme of things. Just to kind of put context into where we are, and then I want to get into the specifics of this UNICEF funding and just how outrageous it is. As I mentioned, there's a 50-50 vote that has happened in the Senate.