BREAKING: Trump Sends ‘Rescission’ Proposal to CLAW BACK Money for PBS, NPR
4th June 2025
The Trump administration sent its rescission package to Capitol Hill today, asking Congress to claw back $9.4 billion in approved spending, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A rescission occurs when a president proposes to cancel previously appropriated funds, but only with the approval of Congress. Essentially, it’s a way to undo a spending decision already made through the appropriations process.
Russ Vought, head of Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, told Will Cain on Fox this afternoon that “We have chosen what we think are the easiest [cuts]…some of the worst examples you can come up with.” In an official statement, Vought said “These funds would be used to subsidize a public media system that is politically biased and an unnecessary expense to the taxpayer.” House Republicans are promising to take it up next week.
While the evidence of “public” broadcasting tilt is overwhelming, the liberal broadcasters will rely on the vaguely positive sound of their mission to win over enough moderate Republicans to keep their money (as usual). Kate Riley, CEO of the lobbying group America’s Public Television Stations, stated: “We urge Congress to reject the destructive recissions of public broadcasting funding, respect the clear will of the American people and the long history of bipartisan support for our work, and continue the federal government’s investment in local public television stations’ essential missions of public safety, education and community connections.”
UPDATE: CBS Evening News: How Dare Pete Hegseth Rename the USNS Harvey Milk, DURING PRIDE MONTH???