Public TV Funding Cut: Bill Advances in House Committee
A House committee greenlit a bill slashing $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding, a move poised to reshape the landscape of public media.The proposed cuts, targeting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and possibly affecting stations nationwide, are now headed for a full House vote. Concerns arise from moderate Republicans, creating uncertainty regarding the bill’s ultimate passage. Advocates warn of severe repercussions, especially for rural stations that depend on this funding. News Directory 3 is following every development closely. The future of public broadcasting hangs in the balance,with Democrats and public media leaders voicing concern over the bill’s potential impact. Discover what’s next as the bill navigates the legislative process.
House Committee Advances Bill Cutting $1.1B in public Broadcasting Funding
Updated june 10, 2025
A House committee has approved a bill that would claw back $1.1 billion in federal funding for public broadcasting, setting the stage for a vote by the full House later this week. The proposed rescissions package targets both foreign aid adn public broadcasting, potentially impacting stations nationwide.
The bill aims to eliminate $535 million in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) over the next two fiscal years,even though the funds have already been allocated.The CPB distributes federal funds to public media stations, including PBS and NPR, supporting public media.
The future of the bill remains uncertain, as some moderate Republicans have voiced opposition to the funding rollback. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev.,co-chair of the Public Broadcasting Caucus with Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., issued a statement opposing the cuts, signaling a potential hurdle for the bill’s passage.
Leaders of NPR and PBS, along with other public media advocates, have cautioned against the potential damage the funding loss could inflict on stations, particularly those serving rural communities. Democrats on the Rules Committee echoed these concerns, emphasizing that Republican districts could also be significantly affected by the cuts to public broadcasting funding.
the stations “provide the information nobody else does,” said Rep. Teresa leger Fernandez, D-N.M.
The Rules Committee voted 8-4 along party lines to advance the legislation, as expected. If the rescissions package passes the House, it will proceed to the Senate, where a simple majority vote would be required to send it to the president.
What’s next
The bill now heads to the House floor for a full vote. It’s fate hinges on whether Republican leaders can secure enough support from their party, given some moderate members’ opposition. If passed by the House, the bill will move to the Senate for consideration.