Congress Votes to Defund PBS, NPR, Cutting $1.1 Billion Federal Support

In a major legislative move, Congress voted to eliminate federal funding for public media, including a $1.1 billion cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that supports NPR, PBS, and their member stations. This action fulfills a long-standing goal of President Donald Trump and many Republicans, who have criticized public broadcasting for perceived liberal bias and sought to end taxpayer subsidies. While Cascade PBS and other stations stress their commitment to continue serving communities, they now face significant financial challenges that will require increased support from donors and local underwriters. Supporters of public media warn that defunding will disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, including rural, Tribal, and low-income communities, which rely heavily on PBS and NPR for trusted news and educational content. Republicans and the Trump administration justify the cuts as necessary spending reductions to address waste and bias, while opponents argue the move undermines vital, nonpartisan public services. The debate highlights deep partisan divides over public media’s role, funding priorities, and the political implications of taxpayer-supported broadcasting.