US Government Cuts $1.1 Billion in Public Broadcasting Funding, Leading to CPB Shutdown

On July 15, 2025, the United States Senate approved a $9 billion rescission package that aims to claw back previously allocated federal funds, including significant cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid programs. The legislation, approved by a narrow 51-48 vote largely along party lines, represents a major step toward ending nearly six decades of federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Specifically, the package reduces $1.1 billion in funding intended for CPB over the next two years. CPB is a federal conduit for financial support to National Public Radio (NPR), the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and their member stations. The bill also cuts $7.9 billion from other programs, notably including foreign food and health aid. The Senate's approval followed an extensive "votearama" session that lasted into the early hours of July 16. Several amendments were considered, and Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was absent due to hospitalization. While most Republicans supported the bill, two GOP senators—Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—voted against it. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell initially voted not to advance debate, prompting Vice President J.D. Vance to cast a tiebreaking vote; however, McConnell ultimately supported the final package. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoken at the Capitol regarding efforts to reclaim $1.1 billion of funding authority from CPB and about $8.3 billion from foreign aid, as reported by J. Scott Applewhite of the Associated Press. NPR CEO Katherine Maher condemned the cuts, stating that nearly three-quarters of Americans rely on public radio stations for news and public safety alerts. She urged the House of Representatives to reject the bill, warning that eliminating public media funding "directly harms communities and constituents," potentially placing lives at risk. Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations, expressed devastation over the Senate's decision to eliminate federal funding to local public TV stations. The Senate's passage of this measure sets the stage for a final confrontation with the House of Representatives, which had approved an earlier version of the rescission package the previous month. This legislative move signals a significant shift in federal priorities concerning public media and international aid, with implications for funding continuity and service availability in affected programs.

On August 1, 2025, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced it will begin an orderly winddown of its operations after Congress excluded CPB funding in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This marks the first time in over fifty years that CPB will not receive federal funding, following the passage of a federal rescissions package.

CPB, established in 1967 as a private nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress, has for nearly 60 years carried out its mission to support a public media system across the United States, including NPR, PBS, and local public radio and television stations. CPB supported educational content, journalism, emergency communications, and cultural programming nationwide.

CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison stated, "Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations." She added, “We are deeply grateful to our partners across the system for their resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to serving the American people.”

The majority of CPB staff positions will conclude at the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. A small transition team will remain through January 2026 to manage the closure, focusing on compliance, final distributions, and meeting long-term financial obligations, such as ensuring continuity of music rights and royalties vital to the public media system.

CPB’s Board of Directors and management are coordinating the legal, financial, and operational aspects of the shutdown and have committed to providing updates and guidance to partner stations and producers during the transition.

On June 27, 2025, the House of Representatives voted 214-212 to approve a rescissions package that would eliminate $9.4 billion in previously allocated federal funding, including $1.1 billion targeted at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). This decision came at President Donald Trump's direct request, who has long criticized public media institutions like NPR and PBS for alleged bias against conservative viewpoints. Rep. Lisa McClain, a Michigan Republican and chair of the House Republican Conference, defended the cuts, claiming they would save taxpayer money that is often wasted on ineffective programs. However, advocates for public media, including NPR Chief Executive Katherine Maher and PBS President Paula Kerger, expressed deep concerns regarding the detrimental impacts these cuts would impose on local independent stations, particularly in rural and underserved areas. They emphasized that these cuts threaten the availability of emergency alerts and unique local programming. Notably, four Republican representatives, Mike Turner, Mark Amodei, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Nicole Malliotakis joined Democrats in opposing the bill. The package, while celebrated among fiscal conservatives, represents one of the most significant efforts by Republicans to defund public broadcasting in decades, with potential repercussions for millions of Americans who depend on these services for information and culture.