People gathered outside NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2025, to rally for funding support for public broadcasting services like NPR and PBS. The event came in response to proposed cuts by the Trump administration that aimed to eliminate $9 billion in federal funding already approved for public broadcasting and international aid programs.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, members from both parties expressed their opposition to these cuts. Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, who chairs the committee, highlighted that a significant portion of the federal funding targeted for cuts supports local programming and critical emergency communications. Collins acknowledged concerns about NPR’s perceived bias in news coverage but suggested that there are better ways to address those issues than cutting all funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget Director, assured the committee that funding for emergency broadcasting services would remain secure. He emphasized that local stations would have time to adjust to any funding changes, urging them to be more selective about their content expenditures.
Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski also spoke out against the proposed cuts, sharing insights about the public radio landscape in her state. She noted that many rural stations rely heavily on federal funding and could face closure without it. Murkowski’s concerns echoed the sentiments of station operators who fear that losing public funds would jeopardize their ability to serve their communities.
The proposed cuts include nearly $1.1 billion in funding for CPB for the years 2026 and 2027. This funding is crucial as CPB distributes money to local public television and radio stations. PBS relies on CPB for about 15% of its revenue, while NPR receives about 1% directly, with additional indirect funding from member stations.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed the rescission measure earlier this month, with a vote of 214 to 212. Some Republican lawmakers changed their votes at the last minute to ensure its passage. During a previous hearing, several Republicans had criticized PBS and NPR for being biased against conservative viewpoints.
Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the committee, raised questions about the legality of the administration’s request. She pointed out that the 1974 Impoundment Control Act requires both chambers of Congress to approve such requests within 45 days. Murray argued that cutting CPB funding would harm over 1,500 local public TV and radio stations, particularly affecting rural communities and children’s programming.
In a statement, NPR emphasized the importance of CPB funding, stating that it supports a network of noncommercial stations serving their communities. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger also expressed concern, highlighting the bipartisan support that public broadcasting has historically received.
The debate over these funding cuts reflects broader discussions about the role of public media in American society. As the Senate continues to deliberate, the future of public broadcasting remains uncertain, with many advocates urging Congress to reconsider the proposed cuts and their potential impact on local communities.