John,

For decades, right-wing reactionaries in Congress have tried and failed to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and its two most popular programs: PBS and NPR―and this time they finally did it.

By a vote of 216-213 (two Republicans voted against it), the House of Representatives passed Donald Trump’s rescissions package, taking away $9 billion in previously allocated funds―including $7 billion in foreign aid and more than $1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.¹

Make no mistake, this is an authoritarian power grab that not only weakens U.S. standing worldwide due to the cut in foreign humanitarian aid, but also undermines independent responsible journalism that is crucial for public safety in local communities―and it sends a chilling message to any entities that dare to criticize Donald Trump or his policies.

This is part of a larger attack on media organizations that do not cater to Trump and his allies―and comes on top of at least $425 billion being withheld by the administration, harming communities across the country.²

Donate $5 today to fight back against growing authoritarianism and the withholding of congressionally allocated funds from our communities.

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Almost 1,200 radio stations and 365 TV stations rely on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for financial support, which allows them to retain editorial independence. 99.9% of the U.S. population lives within listening distance of a public radio or TV station―including rural areas that were more likely to vote for Donald Trump.³ In many areas―especially in rural communities―public broadcasting provides the only access to public safety announcements like severe weather alerts, local journalism, and coverage of government decisions affecting people with low incomes.

Eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting isn’t just foolish, it’s grossly unpopular. In a 2024 survey by YouGov, PBS is the 3rd most trusted news source in the United States―beating out The Associated Press, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.⁴

This is part of a wholesale attack on Congressionally-approved funding for communities, undermining the bipartisan appropriations process and paving the way for further cuts to important programs at a time that many in local communities are struggling with the costs of basic needs. The attacks on public education and independent media are intertwined, as they aim to limit the public’s ability to question and criticize the Trump administration. It’s straight out of the authoritarian playbook, and we won’t take these assaults lying down.

Donate $5 today to fight back against attacks on democracy and our communities.

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Thank you for all you do,

Meredith Dodson,
Senior Director of Public Policy, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media funding and foreign aid
² Trump’s Unprecedented Funding Freeze Hits Communities Across America
³ Trump’s threat to defund all US public media has NPR and PBS on the back foot
⁴ Trust in Media 2024: Which news sources Americans trust — and which they think lean left or right

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

Millions of children are at risk of losing out on the educational services they were promised―not because of a funding shortfall, but due to political attacks.

In March 2025, Congress approved and President Trump signed into law the FY2025 funding for K-12 and adult education services, as well as after-school and summer programs, as part of a bipartisan government funding package. The Trump administration, with no advance notice, withheld nearly $7 billion of that aid from local programs, but thanks to CHN’s important advocacy―including more than 130,000 letters sent to Congress and additional direct lobbying to Congressional offices―$1.3 billion of that funding has been reinstated and released to our communities.¹

This couldn’t have been accomplished without your efforts to ensure that America’s schoolchildren receive the quality public education they need and deserve. But $5 billion is still being withheld. And that’s on top of the $9 billion that Republicans just voted last week to claw back from NPR, PBS, and international aid.

Donate today to keep the pressure on Congress and the White House to stop their attacks on public education, public broadcasting, and public services that our communities rely on.

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The Trump Administration’s move to withhold $5 billion in education funding will not only impact millions of students nationwide but also result in job losses as school districts and other programs are forced to consolidate programs or shutter some altogether.

The money is meant to support local schools, providing teacher training, English language education, education for children of migrant workers, adult education, and academic enrichment programs, all to ensure students have the resources they need to thrive―especially in under-resourced schools and communities. By not delivering Congressionally-approved funding to states, this Administration is leaving the futures of countless students and educators in limbo.

We’re not giving up. Our children and communities deserve access to all the resources they need to thrive, and we will continue to demand that Congress acts.

Donate $5 today to hold Congress and the White House accountable.