Dear John,

This week – possibly as soon as today – the Senate is expected to vote on a rescission package that includes $1 billion in cuts to public broadcasting. You read that right — “billion” with a “b.”

Not only does public broadcasting offer beloved programs, but they also provide a nationwide network of stations offering local news, educational programming, and critical support for the emergency alert system.

With corporate news outlets like ABC News and The Washington Post capitulating to Trump with bogus legal settlements and self-censorship, public broadcasting has never been more important. These radio stations reach over 98% of Americans, including some of the most isolated parts of rural America.

Former NPR executive Eric Nuzum warns that “The most vulnerable stations serving the most vulnerable people are going to be the ones that are hurt the hardest. We’re talking about very rural parts of the United States.”

We need to take action today. Demand the Senate protect public broadcasting by voting against the House-passed rescission bill now.

Let’s be clear here: Congress originally allocated this money. Stations across the country have already planned their programming around this funding. Without it, hundreds are at risk of shutting down and cutting off a lifeline of news and information that millions of Americans rely on.

The Trump team is trying to override that by setting a dangerous example for the future: if you don’t like what Congress passed, just claw it back later.

That’s not democracy. That’s authoritarian rule.

There are real world consequences to these cuts.

On top of devastating cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, for example, the rescission package will significantly damage life-saving global health programs, peacekeeping efforts, and economic development abroad. It impacts funding for infrastructure needed to fight climate change. The list goes on and on.

Don’t wait another minute. Demand that your senators vote NO now.

Thank you for taking action today.