Senate Has Concerns Over PBS, NPR Clawback Measure

The CPB funds over 1,500 public radio and TV stations, including NPR and PBS affiliates, many in rural and Republican-leaning areas. The House narrowly passed the bill, but Senate Republicans are pushing back due to the cuts’ impact on their constituents.

According to The NY Times,  rural stations face severe losses: Dakota Talk Radio in Lake Andes, South Dakota, could lose over half its budget; a station in Unalakleet, Alaska, risks losing 90% of its funding; and KGVA 88.1 in Harlem, Montana, serving the Aaniiih and Nakoda Native nations, could see its entire budget eliminated. These stations, critical for emergency alerts and local information, are vital in areas with limited cellphone service. For example, KGVA’s Jack Jones emphasized its role on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

Paula Kerger

In 2024, CPB funding supported 120 rural stations, with states like Florida ($25 million), Texas ($17 million), and Alaska ($12 million) receiving significant allocations. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) called CPB funding a “lifeline” for rural communities, while Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) highlighted its importance for Native American communities relying on radio for weather and emergency updates.

The cuts nearly derailed the bill in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson secured passage by flipping two Republican votes. As the Senate debates, GOP resistance underscores tensions between the administration’s push to reduce federal spending and the real-world impact on rural and underserved communities. PBS President Paula Kerger warned that the $1.1 billion cut would devastate smaller stations heavily reliant on federal funds.