The Trump administration said that it has sent to Congress its proposal to roll back $1.1 billion in funding allocated to public media stations, NPR and PBS, continuing the president’s effort to punish mainstream media.
The cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the non-profit entity which distributes money to public media, were part of a rescissions package, which also include cuts to foreign aid and other programs. The CPB operates on an advanced appropriation cycle, something set up by Congress to try to shield it from political interference.
“Today, we sent the first rescissions package to Capitol Hill,” according to a statement from the Office and Management and Budget. “This package contains BILLIONS in wasteful foreign aid and federal funding for NPR and PBS.”
Paula Kerger, the president and CEO of PBS, said in a statement, “The proposed rescissions would have a devastating impact on PBS member stations and the essential role they play in communities, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion of their budgets. Without PBS member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis.
She added, “There’s nothing more American than PBS and we are proud to highlight real issues, individuals, and places that would otherwise be overlooked by commercial media. Public media is a public-private partnership and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress.”
PBS and NPR already are suing Trump over his effort to cut off funding via executive order, arguing that the president’s action violates the First Amendment. The CPB is suing the administration over its efforts to fire three of its board members, including Sony’s Tom Rothman.
