The Trump administration sent its rescission package to Capitol Hill today, asking Congress to claw back $9.4 billion in approved spending, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A rescission occurs when a president proposes to cancel previously appropriated funds, but only with the approval of Congress. Essentially, it's a way to undo a spending decision already made through the appropriations process.
Russ Vought, head of Trump's Office of Management and Budget, told Will Cain on Fox this afternoon that "We have chosen what we think are the easiest [cuts]...some of the worst examples you can come up with." In an official statement, Vought said “These funds would be used to subsidize a public media system that is politically biased and an unnecessary expense to the taxpayer." House Republicans are promising to take it up next week.
While the evidence of "public" broadcasting tilt is overwhelming, the liberal broadcasters will rely on the vaguely positive sound of their mission to win over enough moderate Republicans to keep their money (as usual). Kate Riley, CEO of the lobbying group America's Public Television Stations, stated: “We urge Congress to reject the destructive recissions of public broadcasting funding, respect the clear will of the American people and the long history of bipartisan support for our work, and continue the federal government’s investment in local public television stations’ essential missions of public safety, education and community connections.”
PBS CEO Paula Kerger lamely claimed again "there's nothing more American than PBS." They typically negotiate around what is so controversial -- that while they can get some Republicans to vote for their money, they're not "bipartisan" in their "news" product.
Unlike other federal spending items, Congress has singled out CPB to approve their money two fiscal years ahead of everyone else, so this $1.1 billion was approved for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. If Congress rescinds this, it's possible that they could fund it again -- just not in advance. PBS and NPR are hoping Democrats will take control of one or both houses of Congress in the midterms.
MRC vice president for external affairs Dan Schneider proclaimed "Congress must end the welfare payments for PBS and NPR. These propagandists have gotten away with the worst kind of bias and cultural corruption."
