Recently, the President signed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government, including support for public media, funded at current levels through December 20, 2024.

When is Congress Expected to Finalize Public Media Funding?

Congress has until the new deadline to either finalize its annual appropriations bills or pass another short-term funding bill. Discussions about federal funding are expected to resume when Congress reconvenes in mid-November.

How will Congress Determine Public Media Funding Levels?

Both chambers of Congress must agree on final funding levels for all federal programs, including those that provide critical support for public media.

The path ahead is challenging, as the House and Senate proposals for public media differ significantly. While the Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed preserving funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), Interconnection, and Ready To Learn, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended defunding CPB and Interconnection. Additionally, the Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to release its legislation that should provide Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) funding, although the full House has approved funding for the program.

How can we Safeguard Public Media Funding?

Significant outreach from viewers and listeners to Members of Congress will be vital in November and December, when funding decisions are expected to be finalized.

With some lawmakers pushing to cut spending and public media receiving only about $1.60 per person each year, any reductions could jeopardize the local service of your public radio and television stations.

We must raise our voices vigorously to protect the federal programs that enable our stations to be trusted and provide our communities with local sources of award-winning journalism and storytelling, effective educational resources, lifesaving emergency communications, and much more.

Stay informed about when and how to act by subscribing to our email list or following us on X or Facebook.

The actions of many public media supporters have brought us this point, and we’re counting on everyone to advocate for essential public media funding until it’s signed into law this year.