The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a rescissions package to revoke $1.1 billion of already appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
The rescissions package now moves to the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53—47 majority.
As a result, for the first time since CPB was created, public media stations face a real threat to their source of federal funding.
Debate on the floor
The vote was 214—212.
The split was largely down party lines. Four Republicans — Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio — joined 208 Democrats in voting against the bill. Four Democrats and two Republicans did not vote, according to reports.
The cuts are part of a package totaling $9.4 billion that was requested by the Office of Management and Budget. Of this, $8.3 billion is designated for foreign aid programs.
The vote was preceded by a fiery debate on the House floor.
“Taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote a narrative that demonizes one side of the aisle or another,” Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) said. “Yet that is exactly what these media stations continue to do.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) held up an Elmo doll for effect, arguing that instead of debating “legislation that is designed to make this country and our economy more affordable,” PBS children’s offerings were targeted.
“NPR and PBS are targeted here today precisely because they are so good at delivering the truth,” Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) said.
Congress created CPB, a private nonprofit entity, in 1967. It handles federal funding for both PBS and NPR. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law making CPB the entity to oversee federal grants to more than 300 public television stations and more than 1,000 public radio stations.
Move to Senate
The rescissions package now moves to the Senate. It needs a simple majority to pass and must be approved within 45 days of the President sending the request, which occurred on June 3.
“Cutting off federal funding to public media will not only damage local stations, it will be disruptive for millions of Americans who rely on it for news and information that helps them make decisions about their lives and participate in their communities,” CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said in a release.
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