President Donald Trump is pushing Congress to cut funding towards National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Trump formally asked Congress on Tuesday to rescind $9.4 billion in already approved funding for foreign aid and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds NPR and PBS, according to media reports.
The rescissions package is an attempt to codify DOGE-driven cuts amid a wider push from the Trump administration to target news organizations perceived to be biased against Republicans, according to media reports.
“Now that this wasteful spending by the federal government has been identified by DOGE, quantified by the Administration, and sent to Congress, House Republicans will fulfill our mandate and continue codifying into law a more efficient federal government,” per the statement that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) posted on X.
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The statement added that this was exactly what the American people deserved, going on to say that next week, they would put the rescissions bill on the floor of the House and encourage all their members to support this commonsense measure.
NPR CEO Katherine Maher said in a Tuesday statement that such a move would result in the cancellation of beloved local and national programming, a reduction in local news coverage and newsroom jobs, as well as a severe curtailing (if not elimination) of public radio music stations who depend on CPB to negotiate music licenses.
It would also lead to a “reduction in service areas for rural and remote communities, as well as forcing dozens of local stations to shutter operations,” Maher added.
PBS CEO Paula Kerger was not far behind. In an emailed statement Tuesday, she said the proposed cuts “would have a devastating impact” on the broadcaster’s member stations and “the essential role they play in communities, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion” of their budgets.
“Without PBS member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis,” Kerger said. She added that the public media is a public-private partnership and their work is only possible because of the bipartisan support they have always received from Congress.
She also said that during this fight they would demonstrate their value to Congress, as they have over the last 50 years, in providing educational, enriching programs and critical services to all Americans every day for free.
NPR and PBS are nonprofit American media organizations that provide educational, news, and cultural programming. NPR is a network of public radio stations delivering news, talk shows, and music to listeners nationwide, known for in-depth reporting and programs like “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
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PBS is a public television network offering a wide range of programs, including documentaries, children’s shows, and educational content, with popular series such as “PBS NewsHour” and “Sesame Street.” Both organizations rely on public funding, donations, and grants to serve the public interest without commercial advertising.
The proposed funding cuts to NPR and PBS threaten vital public media services, especially for rural communities. Reduced support could lead to fewer educational programs, job losses, and station closures, undermining the accessibility of unbiased news and cultural content that these nonprofit organizations have provided for decades.