CPB Warns of Public Media Cuts After Senate Bill

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 2:29pm CT

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is raising alarm after the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill, which provides no appropriation for the organization.

In a statement released Thursday, CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison expressed deep concern over the committee's action, calling it a serious threat to the viability of local public media across the country.

"CPB is deeply concerned that the Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill that threatens the survival of local public media stations essential in so many ways to the communities they serve," Harrison said.

She noted that the move comes on the heels of a prior congressional rescission of previously approved funds, compounding the financial uncertainty facing public broadcasters. The lack of FY 2026 funding, she said, would be especially damaging to small and rural stations that rely heavily on federal support to operate.

"The absence of future funding eliminates CPB's ability to fulfill our statutory mission -- providing support to nearly 1,500 local public media stations and making needed investments that help stations serve their communities," she added.

Harrison emphasized that CPB will continue to serve as a responsible steward of any remaining federal funds and will focus on helping local stations prepare for and adapt to the anticipated funding loss.

"Our focus remains on supporting them through this transition and helping them navigate the challenges ahead," she said.

The CPB, established by Congress in 1967, is a nonprofit corporation that distributes federal funds to public radio and television stations across the United States. While the Senate bill is still subject to further negotiation and potential revision, Thursday's markup represents a significant funding setback for the public media sector.