Senate Advances $9 Billion Package Slashing Public Broadcasting Support

Senate Moves Forward with $9 Billion Cuts to Public Broadcasting

Updated July 17, 2025 at 6:51 AM EDT

The Senate has taken a decisive step by approving a rescission package amounting to $9 billion, a proposal put forth by the Trump administration. This change has the potential to drastically reduce federal support for public broadcasting, a sector that has benefited from government funding for nearly six decades through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds NPR, PBS, and related stations.

Included in the rescission package is an allocation of $1.1 billion intended for CPB throughout the next two years. The overarching bill also encompasses cuts totaling $7.9 billion from various other federal programs. The Senate’s decision, which followed a lengthy voting session, was passed with a narrow margin of 51-48. It is worth noting that Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota was not present during the vote due to hospitalization.

The House of Representatives, having previously passed a similar version of the bill, will now review the Senate's decision. The voting pattern largely aligned with party affiliation; Democrats opposed the cuts while the majority of Republicans supported them, although a couple of GOP Senators—Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski—defected, voting against the measure.

NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, spoke out against the proposed cuts, underscoring the importance of public radio in delivering vital information. “Nearly 3-in-4 Americans say they rely on their public radio stations for alerts and news for their public safety,” Maher reported, urging the House to contemplate the significance of federal funding for these services.

Kate Riley, President of America’s Public Television Stations, echoed Maher's sentiments, expressing concern about the impact of reduced funding on local television services and the communities they serve.

Democratic attempts to safeguard NPR and PBS funding were mostly symbolic, reflecting the Republican majority's stance. Senator Murkowski put forth an amendment aimed at preserving CPB's funding while restricting federal funds designated for NPR, referring to an Alaska earthquake that demonstrated the critical public service role of broadcasting.

During discussions, Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin raised alarms about the potential consequences of the cuts, warning they could threaten the existence of local stations, particularly in less populated areas. In contrast, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas criticized public broadcasting for alleged partisan bias, arguing taxpayers should not fund such content.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune pointed to the issue of national debt, justifying the cuts as a small yet meaningful contribution toward fiscal prudence.

The rescission request, which Congress received in June, is notable as it marks the first of its kind in over 25 years. A decision by the House is anticipated before the set deadline.

Leaders in public broadcasting have consistently argued that reduced funding would have a catastrophic impact on smaller stations and the rural communities they serve. A recent Harris Poll indicated that a significant majority of Americans—two-thirds—support federal funding for public radio, with support spanning across party lines.

While the House initially included cuts to international aid programs in its bill, such as the PEPFAR initiative, subsequent objections led to their removal in the Senate version. Concerns voiced by Senator Murkowski and other rural Republicans point to the vital support provided by public radio to underrepresented regions.

Additionally, proposals to reallocate funds, such as Senator Mike Rounds’ suggestion to utilize Green New Deal funds for tribal stations, received criticism from Native Public Radio’s CEO, who deemed such a plan impractical.