Congress Considers Trump Proposal to Cut $1.1B Public Media Funding Nationwide

President Donald Trump has formally requested Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding allocated for public broadcasting over the next two years, targeting NPR, PBS, and their local stations. This rescission is part of a larger $9.4 billion clawback package that also includes cuts to foreign aid programs such as PEPFAR, sparking opposition from Senate Democrats and some Republicans like Senator Susan Collins. The funding in question constitutes a significant portion of the operating budgets of many public media outlets, including rural stations, and its removal threatens essential services like emergency alerts, educational programming, and local journalism. GOP leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, support the cuts, citing ideological bias in public media, while Democrats warn the defunding would decimate vital community resources. Congress has 45 days to approve the rescission by a simple majority vote, with the House expected to act first, making the outcome uncertain given the narrow Republican majorities. Public media advocates are mobilizing to protect this funding, emphasizing its critical role in serving diverse and underserved communities nationwide.