Four Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against a spending bill that would rescind more than $1 billion in funding for public broadcasting stations and programs.
The bill passed anyway, with a vote of 214 to 212, buoyed by strong Republican support in the House of Representatives on Thursday.
In the end, House Speaker Mike Johnson convinced some Republicans to support the bill, which cuts $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other programs that support non-profit and educational public television and radio stations across the country.
The bill removes $535 million in funding during fiscal year 2026 and the same amount for 2027. Money was already allocated to support the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this year.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where its passage is far from certain. Senators have a little more than a month and a half to take up the bill, and can pass it with a simple majority, or they can decline to act, which would kill the measure.
If the bill passes and is signed by Trump, it would have a varying effect on NPR and PBS member stations. Larger operations — particularly those in major markets or which are backed by universities — are less likely to be impacted, with corporate underwriting supporting many of those stations.
Small and rural-area radio and TV stations are more likely to see the immediate effects of lower funding. Some station managers have warned of significant layoffs and the inability to purchase programming from PBS, NPR and other public media distributors. Some may shut down entirely, leaving local communities deprived of critical news and information.
In a statement, PBS CEO Paula Kerger said the outlet would continue to find ways to support its member stations.
“The fight to protect public media does not end with this vote, and we will continue to make the case for our essential service in the days and weeks to come,” Kerger said. “Our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress, support we have earned by providing services that cannot be replaced by commercial media.”
Kerger said PBS is relied upon by individuals and families across the country, regardless of their political affiliation.
“During this process we have heard from millions of people from across the country who rely on PBS and local member stations for information and educational media that can’t be found anywhere else, and we know that the American people will continue to stand up in support of our work as we turn our attention to the Senate,” Kerger said.
President Donald Trump has long been a critic of PBS and NPR, accusing them of operating news outlets that are politically biased in favor of progressive ideals.
Trump tried to pull back on funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting through an Executive Order signed last month, but it was ultimately paused after facing a legal challenge.
Congressional approval to claw back funding would face less legal scrutiny, since Congress has long decided whether the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would continue to be funded, and how much money to allocate to it.
The House action this week is largely misaligned with how Americans views public broadcasting. PBS rated as one of the most-trusted sources of factual news and information in a March study by Pew Research. NPR member stations in many communities offer the lone source of agriculture and climate news that is valued by ranchers and farmers.
