House Passes Bill Cutting Public Broadcasting Funds

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a $9.4 billion budget cut package, including eliminating $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which threatens NPR, PBS, and local affiliates. The 214-212 vote, largely along party lines, is a major victory for President Trump’s administration and the Department of Government Efficiency. The proposed cuts would disproportionately impact rural and Trump-voting states, where public media is often the main news and emergency information source. Supporters claim the cuts reduce government spending and waste, while critics warn of devastating effects on local programming and underserved communities. The Senate is expected to consider the bill in July, but some moderate Republicans have expressed reservations. If the Senate does not act by mid-July, existing funding for public broadcasting will remain in place.