The White House formally asked Congress Tuesday to revoke more than $1 billion in already approved funding for public broadcasting, jeopardizing operations at NPR, PBS and local stations across the country.
The request specifically targets the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private nonprofit created and funded by Congress. Every year, CPB receives more than half a billion dollars, which it then distributes to NPR, PBS and more than 1,500 local radio and television stations in the form of grants. Congress approves funding for CPB two years in advance, so the White House’s request is an attempt to revoke the funding Congress granted CPB through September 2027.
The White House’s request — known formally as a rescissions package — also calls for the revocation of $8.3 billion in foreign aid. Programs targeted include those run by the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development and the United States Institute of Peace.
Congress now has 45 days to approve the rescissions package. If neither the House nor the Senate passes it by a majority vote, the government is required to spend the money as Congress had previously directed.
President Donald Trump, his administration and some Republicans have repeatedly sought to strip NPR and PBS of their federal funding, claiming that taxpayer dollars should not go towards “biased” outlets. Though federal dollars make up a relatively small portion of NPR’s and PBS’ budgets — roughly 1% and 15%, respectively — the outlets receive government money indirectly from local stations that receive federal support and pay membership and licensing fees to NPR and PBS.
Small local stations would be disproportionately affected if Congress decides to take back funding. For some rural stations, federal funding makes up more than half of their revenue. Some Republicans have argued that federal support for public media is not necessary at a time when many Americans have internet access, but natural disasters can wipe out communications infrastructure, leaving local stations as the only accessible source of news and information.
While the rescissions package targets previously approved funding for CPB, Trump and some Republicans are also trying to stop future funding for the organization. Congress is currently considering legislation to defund CPB, and in March, a House subcommittee held a hearing called “Anti-American Airwaves: Holding the heads of NPR and PBS Accountable,” during which NPR and PBS executives were asked to testify.
In April, Trump attempted to exert his will over CPB by firing three of the nonprofit’s five board members. The next day, a Department of Government Efficiency worker emailed the remaining board members, asking for a meeting. CPB swiftly responded with a lawsuit, arguing that it is a private organization, not a government agency, and is therefore not subject to Trump’s authority.
Despite CPB’s arguments defending its independence, Trump issued an executive order May 1, ordering CPB’s board to stop both direct and indirect funding to NPR and PBS. The outlets, along with several local stations, filed two separate lawsuits over the order last week.
Trump’s executive order, according to NPR’s lawsuit complaint, “violates the expressed will of Congress and the First Amendment’s bedrock guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association, and also threatens the existence of a public radio system that millions of Americans across the country rely on for vital news and information.”
It is unclear whether Congress will approve the rescissions request. Though Republicans hold majorities in both the House and the Senate, it is rare that rescissions packages are approved. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins told reporters Tuesday that Trump’s request includes cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, and that she does not approve of eliminating the program, according to Politico.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) posted on X Tuesday that the House “will act quickly” on Trump’s request. The House will likely vote on the package next week, Politico reported.
