National Public Radio is ramping up its fundraising efforts during its first day without federal funding and an uncertain future ahead with a GOP-controlled Congress.
Congress clawed back federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July, citing unflattering coverage of the Trump administration and bias against Republicans. The so-called rescission of taxpayer dollars kicked in with the start of the fiscal year on Wednesday.
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“Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. It’s the beginning of a new chapter — but we’re not going anywhere,” NPR wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “With your help, we’ll continue to bring you honest, rigorous journalism that doesn’t bend to the interests of shareholders. We’ll still hold a microphone to American voices that might otherwise go unheard. And we’ll always stand behind our First Amendment right to a free press.”
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting had received $1.1 billion in federal funds, but Congress’s one-time clawback of money means that this fiscal year, there will be no federal support for NPR, PBS, and their member stations. The rescissions package was part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s cost-cutting efforts and also rolled back some foreign aid funding.
The NPR cuts coincided with the federal government shutdown on Wednesday, which occurred after lawmakers failed to pass a GOP-backed continuing resolution to fund the government through Nov. 21.
Democrats had put forth their own plan to keep the government open through Oct. 31 that includes various pet projects that Republicans oppose, including permanently extending expiring Obamacare tax credits, rolling back Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and restoring federal aid to NPR and PBS public radio and TV stations. The Senate rejected that proposal along with the GOP plan, which both require 60 votes.
According to NPR, the company plans to cut more than $5 million in the upcoming fiscal year to balance its budget following the funding cuts. Affiliated stations have seen a surge in fundraising dollars since the cuts were made in July, and the public pleas for funding continue.
According to a public media layoffs tracker powered by the semipublic website, 413 jobs have been lost since July 18. Many Democrats argue that this funding halt will disproportionately hurt rural areas and express concerns about the First Amendment.
“Our concerns are the bedrock of our democracy is a free press, and that means everybody should get an opportunity to hear the news, no matter your zip code, no matter if you’re in a rural community or an urban community,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) told the Washington Examiner.
“Many communities get their news through one or two channels or radio stations, and a lot of rural America, much of that is through NPR and their affiliates,” the chairman continued.
As part of the 1967 Public Broadcasting Act, federal grants were used to “establish to aid the operation of educational broadcasting facilities” and to “authorize comprehensive study of instructional television and radio.” The Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s federal funds were funneled to public radio and TV stations across the country. Republicans argue that the coverage has a liberal bias and does not warrant taxpayer support, especially as consumers have access to a range of media choices.
“House Republicans ended taxpayer-funded media because Americans shouldn’t bankroll partisan propaganda,” Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) told the Washington Examiner. “Democrats shut down the government to bring it back — holding America hostage to fund their radical agenda, including state-sponsored left-wing media.”
Beyond Democrats demanding public broadcasting cuts be restored as part of their shutdown negotiations, funding for CPB could be reinstated next fiscal year if Congress votes to reapprove the funding. But the political climate in the White House and in the GOP-controlled Congress does not favor NPR and PBS.
A fiery hearing was held earlier this year, featuring testimonies from NPR CEO Katherine Maher, PBS President Paula Kerger, and Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow Angeles T. Arredondo. It was led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who claimed that PBS “actively uses taxpayer funds to push some of the most radical left positions.”
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) blasted NPR in the hearing, claiming that listeners of the outlet are “totally misinformed.”
“I have a problem with that because you get federal funds,” Comer said.
Democrats contended that the federal government shutdown, which started on Wednesday, should not overshadow the consequences for public broadcasting. They argue that restoring PBS and NPR funding comes down to free speech and access to public information.
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“From Kentucky to North Carolina, every corner of the country is or will be impacted by CPB’s closure,” one Senate Democratic staffer told the Washington Examiner. “This is devastating for local journalism, children’s programming, and emergency alerting.”
