House Republican Claims Defunding NPR and PBS Is "Finally" Within Reach
Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson hails Trump’s DOGE package as a game-changer to defund NPR and PBS, labeling them “fake news.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, is applauding President Donald Trump’s decision to send a $9.4 billion spending cuts package to Congress, which aims to eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS. Jackson, a long-time critic of the media outlets, declared that this move would "finally" end what he calls taxpayer support for "fake news." He argued that these organizations have become, in his words, "taxpayer-funded propaganda arms of the radical Left."
The White House’s proposal, formally known as a rescissions package, represents one of the most ambitious recent efforts by Republican leaders to fulfill campaign promises to reduce government spending. The plan specifically targets funding for NPR, PBS, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, with administration officials saying these cuts are part of a broader initiative led by the president and the Department of Government Efficiency.
Once the rescissions package reaches Capitol Hill, lawmakers will have a 45-day window to take action before the proposal expires. Opposition and support have already begun to crystallize, with the House Freedom Caucus urging an immediate vote. Rep. Jackson, who has introduced bills to defund NPR and PBS in every session since joining Congress, said the package aligns perfectly with his ongoing efforts to address what he describes as chronic bias at the two media giants.
“Since being elected, I’ve led the charge to defund NPR and PBS. They’ve become nothing more than another fake news media outlet,” stated Jackson. He further emphasized his enthusiasm for the current administration's willingness to "finally cut off their funding."
The debate over public broadcasting funding gained increased attention following a recent House DOGE Subcommittee hearing, where NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS President Paula Kerger defended their use of federal funds. During the hearing, Maher acknowledged errors in NPR’s past coverage, notably conceding that the organization mishandled reporting on Hunter Biden’s laptop story, admitting, “We made a mistake.” Maher also publicly expressed regret for previously making disparaging remarks about then-President Trump.
PBS, meanwhile, drew sharp criticism from some lawmakers for airing programs such as "Real Boy," which features a transgender protagonist exploring issues of sexuality. The content of such programming was highlighted by conservative members as evidence that the outlets are out of step with mainstream American values.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., weighed in following the hearing, describing NPR and PBS as "out of touch with everyday Americans." She asserted, "The American people will not continue to allow such propaganda to be funded through the federal government with their hard-earned tax dollars."
If passed, the rescissions package would mark a significant turning point in the ongoing debate over government support for public broadcasting, as well as a key victory for Republicans seeking to dramatically reshape the federal budget and the media landscape.
