PBS and NPR Funding at Risk as House Advances $9.4 Billion Spending Cuts Backed by DOGE
POLITICS
The U.S. House of Representatives took a significant step toward approving a $9.4 billion spending cut package proposed by President Donald Trump, which would enshrine cuts initially put forward by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This package authorizes the White House to withhold billions of dollars in previously approved congressional funding.
Key agencies targeted for these cuts include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which channels federal grants to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). These reductions threaten the continuation of funding for these widely popular public media outlets.
The procedural vote on Wednesday largely followed party lines, with Republicans supporting the package. However, the upcoming final vote, expected Thursday, may face opposition from some House Republicans concerned about the impact on favored programs such as PBS and NPR.
House Speaker Mike Johnson leads a narrow Republican majority and can afford only a few defections if the bill is to pass along party lines. Earlier in the week, Johnson acknowledged his efforts to secure sufficient Republican support to push the DOGE-backed package through Congress.
The procedural vote also resolved necessary adjustments to the legislation required by the Senate to allow passage under the reconciliation process, which enables budget bills to pass with a simple majority rather than the usual 60 votes in the Senate.
The Senate parliamentarian, who oversees compliance with Senate rules, had earlier identified certain provisions in the spending package as incompatible with the reconciliation process, prompting changes to meet these regulatory standards.
As the House moves closer to a decisive vote, the future of funding for PBS, NPR, and other federal programs hangs in the balance amid broader debates over government spending and efficiency.