In a significant move that jeopardizes the future of public broadcasting, the House of Representatives voted to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding over the next two fiscal years. The narrow vote of 214-212 saw four Republicans join all Democrats in opposition. The legislation, which also proposes cuts to foreign aid, is now set for consideration in the Senate.
Initially, it appeared that the measure would fail, but House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully swayed some members to alter their votes, marking another instance of his late-stage interventions aimed at advancing Donald Trump’s agenda. The legislation proposes cutting $535 million for fiscal year 2026 and $535 million for fiscal year 2027. This funding had previously been earmarked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a nonprofit responsible for financial support to PBS, NPR, and affiliated stations.
Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB, expressed concern over the potential ramifications, stating, “Cutting off federal funding to public media will not only damage local stations, it will be disruptive for millions of Americans who rely on it for news and information that helps them make decisions about their lives and participate in their communities.”
PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger affirmed that the fight to protect public media continues, saying, “The fight to protect public media does not end with this vote, and we will continue to make the case for our essential service in the days and weeks to come.” She emphasized the bipartisan support they have historically enjoyed, noting the unique services provided by public media that cannot be replicated by commercial outlets.
Katherine Maher, NPR’s president and CEO, remarked on the close nature of the vote, urging the Senate to maintain the bipartisan support that has supported public broadcasting for the last five decades. “We urge the Senate to preserve the bipartisan support that has uplifted public broadcasting’s essential services in this country for the last 50 years,” she said, calling for the rejection of the funding cuts.
Former President Trump has previously sought to eliminate federal financing for PBS and NPR, claiming bias against conservative viewpoints. The recent rescissions proposal from the Trump administration aims to formalize funding cuts through congressional approval, which would lend a stronger legal basis compared to an executive order.
Public media funding has faced repeated challenges, often stemming from conservative lawmakers who have historically sought to cut these funds. Following similar attempts in the past, advocates argue that public broadcasting has survived due to strong grassroots support. This includes advocacy from viewers and notable figures such as Big Bird, highlighting the value of these services to local communities.
During the House debate, Republicans highlighted instances they believe illustrate media bias, while some GOP members framed the funding issue as taxpayers supporting a left-leaning agenda. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) stated, “They have a right to say what they want; they do not have a right to our tax dollars.” Meanwhile, Democrats emphasized the broader implications of the funding cuts, especially concerning global health programs, with the rescissions package overall slashing $9.4 billion in funding.
Despite the challenges, advocates for public media maintain confidence, pointing to public trust in outlets like PBS and NPR. A Pew survey conducted in March affirmed that public sentiment towards these organizations remains high.
The Senate has a tight timeline to act on the bill, with 45 days to respond to Trump’s funding cuts proposal. If not approved, the allocated funding for public media will stand as planned. The Republicans who opposed the cutbacks include Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH).