As you note in your editorial “Rescission Time for the GOP Senate” (July 16), Republicans shouldn’t yet “hang up a Mission Accomplished banner.” The package’s $9 billion rescissions amount to 0.1% of the annual federal budget. Even after this package, fiscal 2025 spending will be 58% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
But taking back appropriated money is very difficult politically. Rather than criticism, the rescission package calls for optimism about future reform. The GOP should build on this by passing a second rescission package and keeping spending from ballooning in appropriations. Alongside the rescission and reconciliation cuts, this would represent real progress.