Overview

• The rescissions bill would claw back $1.1 billion allocated for public broadcasting over the next two years and must be approved by both the House and Senate within 45 days to become law.
• PBS and NPR have filed lawsuits accusing the administration of viewpoint-based discrimination under the First Amendment after Trump’s May 1 executive order directed the CPB to cease funding.
• Federal grants make up about 15% of PBS stations’ budgets on average, prompting warnings that eliminating those funds could force cuts to local news, educational shows and emergency alerts.
• Grassroots campaigns and Protect My Public Media have generated over 2 million messages to Congress opposing the cuts, and lawmakers including Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Sen. Lisa Murkowski have publicly defended federal support.
• Conservative activists and Trump allies argue that membership fees, corporate sponsorships and foundation grants can sustain public media without taxpayer dollars, reflecting a decades-long campaign.