Congress Votes to End 50-Year Federal Funding for Public TV, Radio

The United States Congress has voted to end a half-century of federal funding for public television and radio. The House of Representatives approved a 90 billion dollar spending cut plan, which passed with 216 votes in favor and 213 votes against. Earlier, the Senate had passed the bill with a 51 to 48 vote. This legislation includes the withdrawal of 11 billion dollars in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, an organization that supports public media outlets such as PBS and NPR.

The Senate's approval of the bill came after a request from the White House to recall 90 billion dollars in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds. The proposed cuts primarily target funds allocated for assisting countries affected by disease, war, and natural disasters. The move to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has raised concerns among some bipartisan lawmakers, who worry about the potential impact on public media.

White House Budget Director Russell Vought has indicated plans to submit additional fast-track measures to Congress, leveraging the reconciliation process that allows for passage with a simple majority of 50 votes in the Senate, rather than the usual 60 votes required for annual spending bills. While specific areas for further cuts have not been detailed, significant layoffs have already occurred in various departments, including Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, and Education. This allows Congress to formally reclaim unused funds.

Starting from October 1, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), which receive federal funding, will lose all their federal support. Larger urban radio stations may survive through increased sponsorships and donations, but smaller rural broadcasting companies are expected to shut down.