Today the House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The vote was 214-212 in favor of the bill, now sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.
We are disappointed that the House has voted to approve the rescission of the already-approved CPB funding for FY26 and FY27. If both the House and Senate approve this measure, Vegas PBS would lose almost $4 million in federal support over the next two years — approximately 12% of our annual budget. We remain hopeful that the Senate rejects the rescission package and protects the public media that millions of Americans enjoy and rely on.
The effort to rescind funding for public media through the U.S. Congress would disrupt the essential services that PBS and local member stations like Vegas PBS provide to the people of Southern Nevada and all of America.
The White House has made multiple efforts to eliminate federal funding for public media. Today's rescission package is the latest and most substantial threat.
The rescissions package follows an executive order issued in April 2025, directing the halt of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which distributes funding to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). While the order has been challenged, its impact has already been felt. The Ready To Learn program, which funds PBS KIDS shows and family workshops, was terminated on May 6, 2025.
PBS costs the American taxpayer just $1.60 a year. Vegas PBS is able to leverage that initial $1 investment from CPB and raise $8 from and for Southern Nevada. That comes to life as early education resources, local storytelling, professional development for K-12 educators, workforce education and much more.
The future of public media is in jeopardy. We encourage you to reach out to your networks and communities to contact the Senate. Let them know how important PBS is to our nation and that federal funding is a major component of making public broadcasting possible.
Senator Jacky Rosen
https://www.rosen.senate.gov/email-jacky/
202.224.6244
Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/contact/connect/
202.224.3542
For more information please visit vegaspbs.org/protect
