Schmidt, House Vote to Recover Billions of Taxpayer Dollars

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025. The legislation claws back $9.4 billion taxpayer dollars earmarked for unnecessary spending.

“Our country is $36 trillion in debt and sinking deeper every year. We simply cannot continue the mindset of being all things to all people,” Congressman Schmidt said. “Stopping unnecessary spending identified by the Trump Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency is a critical step in solving our nation’s debt crisis. I hope today's vote is a watershed and going forward we can keep bending the government spending curve downward. Our kids' future depends on it.”

BACKGROUND

The United States’ gross national debt now surpasses $36 trillion and is equal to 123% of gross domestic product, the highest spending since World War II.

H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, codifies the White House’s request to rescind $9.4 billion of previously appropriated federal funding, including:

• $1 million for voter ID in Haiti
• $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street
• $6 million for "Net Zero Cities" in Mexico
• $500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda

The rescinded funds will be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

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