House Kills $1.1B in NPR & PBS Funding By Narrow Vote

Last week, the U.S. House, in a close 214–212 vote, approved a bill that would eliminate $1.1 billion in federal funding for NPR and PBS over the next two years.

The money comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which feeds funds to local stations around the country.

The vote was part of a larger push to claw back nearly $9.4 billion in federal spending.

Let’s be honest.

For years, many conservatives have watched NPR and PBS drift further left. The subtle framing, the story selection, the tone.

It’s not outrageous, but it’s clear: these aren’t platforms where conservative voices get a fair shake. So the question is simple: why are taxpayers footing the bill?

In a country overflowing with podcasts, YouTube channels, and independent journalism, why should we still be paying for public broadcasting?

More Than Just Media

Some folks argue this is about more than news. They point out that many rural stations rely on CPB funds to stay on the air.

They run emergency alerts. They air educational shows. They provide local news where other media has disappeared.

For some small communities, PBS and NPR are the only consistent voice.

That’s not nothing.

PBS President Paula Kerger says without that federal support, some of these stations will simply go dark.

That’s the heart of the debate.

A Sliver of the Budget, but a Symbol All the Same

It’s true that the CPB funding amounts to less than 0.01% of the federal budget.

So no, cutting it won’t solve the debt crisis.

But that’s not the point. For conservatives, this is about setting priorities.

If public media wants to continue, they should compete in the open marketplace like everyone else.

That’s how we treat other industries. Why should media be any different?

Legal Pushback and What Comes Next

As expected, NPR and PBS aren’t taking this quietly.

They’re considering legal action, calling the cuts “unlawful” and warning of dire consequences for local journalism and educational programming.

The bill now moves to the Senate. It’s a close call there too.

A few Republican senators have already signaled hesitation. That means the future of federal public broadcasting funds could be decided by a handful of swing votes.

A Conservative Crossroads

Here’s the bottom line. Conservatives want limited government. We want accountability. We want institutions to earn public trust, not assume it.

If public broadcasting wants to survive, it should prove its value in the private sphere, just like conservative media has had to do for decades.

Let donors support it. Let viewers decide.

But, some of these rural stations serve a real need. Maybe there’s room for private partnerships, state-level solutions, or community-based funding models.

Conservatives shouldn’t just tear down institutions; we should be ready to build better ones.

That’s how we turn a budget cut into a real win for the country.