Arizona Senators Rally Against Proposed NPR and PBS Budget Cuts
A significant debate is unfolding in the U.S. Senate over a proposed rescissions package that could see substantial cuts to NPR, PBS, and foreign aid. This has prompted Arizona’s Democratic Senators to call on their colleagues to reject the plan, emphasizing the vital role of public broadcasting.
Senator Mark Kelly has highlighted the importance of federal funding for NPR and PBS, noting that it constitutes less than a tenth of a percent of the federal budget, yet plays a crucial role in education, information, and emergency services, particularly in rural communities.
Addressing the Senate, Kelly argued that the legislation risks reversing progress: “We should be building a country where no matter where you live, what you earn or how connected your ZIP code is, you can get the information and support you need to stay healthy and informed,” he stated.
The proposed budget cuts entail over $1 billion in reductions for public broadcasting. In Arizona, Kelly and Senator Ruben Gallego have pointed out that the most affected stations are located on tribal lands. This includes KNNB on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, KGHR on the Navajo Nation, and KUYI on the Hopi Nation.
Kelly criticized the proposal, saying, “This is not a serious plan for deficit reduction. What it really says is this, ‘If you live in a rural area, your access to public safety information doesn’t matter. If you’re a child whose family can’t afford streaming services or reliable internet, your education doesn’t matter, and if you’re someone who wants a safer, more stable world, you’re out of luck.’ I don’t accept that.”
The senator reminisced about his childhood experiences with PBS, mentioning that while he grew up watching Sesame Street, his granddaughter now enjoys Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. He stressed that such programs are essential for children’s development, teaching important life lessons like kindness and personal hygiene.
Kelly also touched upon the political undertones of the proposed cuts. He referenced a Republican senator’s remarks linking the funding cuts to criticism by NPR’s CEO of former President Donald Trump. “I imagine he has a better understanding of the views of the president than I do, so I’ve gotta take him at his word that there is a connection here and this is somewhat political,” Kelly said.
Opposing views were expressed by Sen. Eric Schmidt (R-MO), who claimed taxpayers would be “mortified” to support NPR following the CEO’s past negative comments about Trump. However, NPR CEO Katherine Maher has since expressed regret over those comments, which were made before her tenure at NPR commenced in 2024.
Adding to the discussion, former NPR Product Manager Alex Curley warned during a webinar with Kelly that the Western United States could face the greatest impact from losing federal funds.
EDITOR’S NOTE: KJZZ receives community grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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