John, we’re at a pivotal moment for independent journalism.

In just 7 days, the Senate will decide whether they’ll side with the millions of Americans who rely on public media PBS and NPR, or with Trump’s desperate efforts to defund them to the tune of $1.1 billion. [1]

The House of Representatives approved Trump’s cuts by a razor-thin margin last month – but as you’re well aware, they couldn’t come at a worse time.

That’s because corporate media – unlike PBS – relies on advertisers and has to turn a profit to stay in business. So, they’re complying in advance and self-censoring to avoid challenging those in power – the precise opposite of what journalism is meant for.

Just this week, CBS News agreed to pay $16 million to Trump because he didn’t agree with their 2024 campaign coverage – and CBS thought their bottom line was more important than standing by their reporting. [2]

Now, MAGA Republicans want to undercut some of the last national media outlets that Trump can’t just scare into silence – and if they’re successful, Americans from big cities to rural towns will pay the price.

Emergency broadcasting in natural disasters. Children’s programming like Sesame Street. High-quality local journalism. That’s what we stand to lose here.

Why? Because Trump’s allies in Congress worry that the free, fair, and impartial journalism that PBS and NPR offer make it much harder to get away with their lies.

Just one example, when people learn that Trump’s budget bill decreases funding for local hospitals, opposition climbs to 4 out of 5 disapproving of the bill. [3] But because in-depth reporting on local impacts doesn't make money and risks provoking Trump's wrath, we can't rely on corporate media to deliver it.

Here’s the good news, John: Trump has tried - and failed - to cut funding for PBS during his first administration.

And if the Senate doesn’t move this bill, called a “rescission package,” by July 18th – that’s next Friday – then they’ll lose their chance to make these devastating cuts. And it’s far from a done deal, with senators like Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) publicly asking what these cuts will mean for their rural constituents. [4]

So, Common Cause is going all in on this fight - driving calls to key senators and mobilizing from coast to coast.

Because once these local stations are gone, they won’t come back easily—and future generations will pay the price for our failure to defend them now.

We’re stretching our resources thin to get it done, so we’re calling on everyone who can to help Common Cause fill the gap. Chip in $5, 10, or even 20 to help us protect public media today >>

If you've saved your info with ActBlue, we'll process your contribution instantly:

Thanks for your support,

The team at Common Cause

P.S. If you haven’t yet, tell your Senators to reject these devastating cuts, protect independent journalism, and stand up to this attack on the truth. Click here to take action >>

[1]https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/12/house-clears-9-4b-in-funding-clawbacks-requested-by-white-house-00403305
[2] https://deadline.com/2025/07/trump-lawsuit-60-minutes-lawsuit-settled-1236447496/
[3] https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/press-release/poll-public-views-big-beautiful-bill-unfavorably-by-nearly-a-2-1-margin-democrats-independents-and-non-maga-republicans-oppose-it-while-maga-supporters-favor-it-favorability-ero/
[4] https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/07/09/congress/senate-thune-collins-trump-rescissions-foreign-aid-radio-parliamentarian-00443402