Congress Slashes $9 Billion in Public Media and Foreign Aid, Ending Federal Support for NPR and PBS
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In a narrow 216–213 vote, the House has approved a Trump-backed plan to slash $9 billion in spending—targeting $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, effectively ending federal support for NPR, PBS, and their local affiliates. The sweeping cuts also include approximately $7 billion in foreign aid. The legislation now heads to President Trump for signature.
The move triggered an outpouring of criticism. NPR CEO Katherine Maher called the vote an “irreversible loss” and warned that rural and tribal communities relying on public radio for emergency alerts and news could be left in the dark. PBS President Paula Kerger echoed the concerns, adding that the cuts will force many stations to make “devastating” decisions.
While NPR's national operations receive limited federal funding, nearly 1,000 local stations depend heavily on CPB grants. Critics say the rollback threatens essential public broadcasting in underserved regions. Despite bipartisan concern about the implications and the process, GOP leaders pressed forward, hailing the rescissions as a necessary rollback of previous spending. Senate Democrats have already vowed to resist further partisan defunding efforts.
