On Tuesday, President Trump escalated his ongoing conflict with major cultural institutions by formally requesting that Congress revoke $1.1 billion in funding allocated to public broadcasting over the next two years. For the move to take effect, a simple majority in both the House and Senate must approve the “rescission request” within 45 days. Given Republicans’ narrow control of both chambers, even a few dissenting votes could derail the plan.
The request follows a spring House subcommittee hearing where Republicans accused NPR and PBS of political bias and argued for cutting federal funding routed through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to local stations. PBS CEO Paula Kerger warned the proposal would be devastating, especially for rural communities that rely on public broadcasting for local content and emergency services.
Trump’s request is part of a broader $9.4 billion package of proposed spending cuts, including reductions to foreign aid, based on recommendations from a government efficiency task force led by Elon Musk. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the initiative, while Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins expressed concern, particularly over proposed cuts to the PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program, which she called highly effective. She did not comment on the broadcasting cuts.
While some Republicans support defunding public broadcasters—arguing they cater to a liberal, urban audience—others, like Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, have defended the funding as essential for underserved areas. Democrats have strongly opposed the move, calling it an attempt to silence the press and shift U.S. global priorities.
Despite past executive actions by Trump aimed at restricting CPB funding to NPR and PBS—now the subject of ongoing lawsuits—this rescission request is legally valid. It has sparked intense lobbying on Capitol Hill, with public radio representatives urging lawmakers to preserve services vital to their communities.