In a dramatic turn in U.S. budget politics, former President Donald Trump’s latest influence over Republican lawmakers is playing out in full force—this time targeting public broadcasting.
With just a two-vote margin, House Republicans have passed a massive $9.4 billion rescission bill that could eliminate federal funding for NPR, PBS, and several global aid programs.
Public Broadcasting in the Crosshairs
At the heart of the bill is a sharp swipe at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports both PBS and NPR.
The proposal includes more than $1 billion in cuts to CPB funding—money already allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Trump and his allies have argued for years that these outlets are biased, calling them “radical left propaganda.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson echoed that sentiment, saying, “There is no reason for any media organization to be singled out to receive federal funds.”
A Trump-Backed Agenda Comes to Life
This bill isn’t just about media—it’s a clear reflection of Donald Trump’s priorities.
He’s been publicly urging Republicans to follow through on what he claims they’ve promised for decades: pulling the plug on public broadcasters.
In a recent Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Republicans must defund and totally disassociate themselves from NPR & PBS, the radical left ‘monsters’ that so badly hurt our country!”
Shortly after, Trump signed an executive order kickstarting this process.
The House vote on Thursday was the first major legislative move to follow that directive.
More Than Media: What Else Is Getting Cut?
While NPR and PBS grabbed the headlines, the bill also proposes slashing over $8 billion in foreign aid, including controversial social and LGBTQ+ programs funded through USAID.
Cuts also target climate-focused and equity-based initiatives, as well as World Health Organization (WHO) contributions, according to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought.
The DOGE group, a watchdog agency that reportedly once had ties to Elon Musk, identified 21 programs they believe are prone to waste or fraud.
These were included in the bill as “rescissions,” essentially clawbacks of previously approved funding.
Critics Call It ‘Reckless’
Not everyone is applauding the cuts.
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed the move, calling it “reckless,” especially because it affects longstanding AIDS prevention programs originally launched under President George W. Bush.
Others argue it undermines global public health and diplomacy at a time when international relationships are already under strain.
NPR Fires Back on Funding Claims
While the headlines imply a massive government handout to NPR and PBS, the actual numbers paint a more nuanced picture.
NPR responded by clarifying that it receives just 1% of its funding directly from federal dollars.
Member stations, however, rely more heavily on CPB, with 8–10% of their budgets coming from that source.
PBS, meanwhile, received around $325 million this year through CPB—making it one of the biggest targets in this bill.
The Senate Is Next
Now that the House has narrowly passed the bill, all eyes turn to the Senate.
GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune said they’ll take it up after finishing another Trump-endorsed initiative—the Big Beautiful Bill Act—which Trump wants passed before the Fourth of July.
Republicans Frame It as a Win for Taxpayers
Republican lawmakers are touting the bill as a win for fiscal conservatism.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, your taxpayer dollars are no longer being wasted,” Speaker Johnson said.
“This marks a critical step toward a more transparent government that puts the American people first.”
Still, Johnson admitted there were doubts within the party.
“There was some concern, but I think we’ve addressed everybody’s concerns,” he told reporters ahead of the vote.
What Happens If Congress Doesn’t Act?
There’s a catch. If Congress fails to vote on the findings from DOGE, the programs flagged for waste and abuse will continue receiving money.
In short: the clock is ticking for Republicans to turn their bill into law before the fiscal cycle resets.
Final Word: A Culture War or a Budget Fix?
To supporters, this is about trimming the fat and reining in wasteful spending.
To critics, it’s an ideological crusade against independent journalism and progressive values.
Either way, the stakes are high—and the outcome will likely shape America’s media landscape, international aid priorities, and public broadcasting for years to come.