Senate Republicans Strip Funding from Local TV and Radio Stations

Strategic Insights -

Washington, July 18 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is highlighting the consequences of Republicans in the Senate voting to gut over $1 billion in federal funding that supports local TV and radio stations. The funding rescissions package, which includes support for emergency broadcasts related to natural hazards, has been opposed by Senator Susan Collins, who also pulled an amendment that could have stopped the bill from moving forward.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Susan Collins opposed the Democrats' effort to rein in President Trump's budget rescission power, voting against a proposal that would have required rescissions to go through the appropriations process.
  • Collins also pulled an amendment she sponsored that would have significantly reduced the overall cuts, which some believe would not have passed the Senate without her intervention.
  • Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) put forward another amendment, originally authored by Collins, that would have further reduced the size of the clawback from $9 billion to $6.5 billion.
  • Alaska's 27 public radio stations are set to lose around $30 million in federal funding over two years, which could lead to significant cuts in station operations, including to emergency broadcasts related to natural hazards.
  • Public broadcasting in Iowa, a critical platform for emergency broadcasts, is at risk of being impacted, with funding cuts potentially affecting programs like "Road Trip Iowa" and live coverage of college wrestling meets.

Statistics:

  • The funding rescissions package includes a $1 billion cut in federal funding for local TV and radio stations.
  • Senator Collins pulled an amendment that would have significantly reduced the overall cuts, potentially saving around $2.5 billion.
  • Alaska's 27 public radio stations receive over $30 million in federal funding over two years, with 11 stations relying on more than half their budget from the federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  • Iowa's senators, Joni Ernst andChuck Grassley, voted for the bill, which now moves forward with federal funding cuts for public broadcasting, global health initiatives, and other foreign aid programs.

Sources:

  • Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (July 18, 2023)
  • Portland Press Herald: "Susan Collins opposes Democratic effort to rein in Trump's budget rescission power"
  • The Bulwark: "Press Pass"
  • Politico: "Senate votes to cut $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid"
  • Anchorage Daily News: "Sullivan votes in favor of rescinding federal funding, including from Alaska's 27 public radio stations"
  • Des Moines Register: "Senate claws back $9B in public broadcasting, foreign aid. How Iowa's senators voted"