Senator Markey Slams Trump Proposal to Rescind Public Broadcasting Funding

Boston (April 14, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and Congress's leading proponent for funding for public broadcasting, released the following statement today after news reports stated that the Trump administration is seeking to rescind funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as part of a larger rescission package it plans to send to Capitol Hill.

There are 170 locally-operated, locally-controlled, locally-focused public television licensees in the country, which reach almost 97 percent of Americans, including many rural and remote communities where commercial television can't succeed. For the 22^nd year in a row, public television was ranked the most trusted institution, with 76 percent of Americans agreeing that public television provides an excellent value to communities.

"The White House's attempt to gut funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is an outrageous and reckless attack on one of our most trusted civic institutions," said Senator Markey. "The CPB supports a public media system that keeps communities informed, educates our children, and reflects the full breadth of America. This rescission package threatens that mission - and would harm the millions of Americans, especially in rural and underserved communities, who rely on public television and radio as their only source of news, culture, and educational programming.

"From 'PBS NewsHour' to 'Sesame Street,' public television has set the gold standard for programming that empowers viewers, particularly young minds. Cutting off this lifeline is not budget discipline, it's cultural sabotage. I will fight to ensure that the Trump administration doesn't pull the plug on this essential public good."

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