Kentucky public television and radio stations are bracing for possible cuts they say could devastate local programming and hamper the state’s ability to warn Kentuckians of severe weather.
The Senate is facing a Friday deadline to pass a rescissions package that would cut more than $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding to Kentucky Education Television and the state’s public radio stations. In addition, President Donald Trump’s rescissions package includes sweeping cuts to foreign aid.
It’s not clear if Senate Republicans have enough votes to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said negotiations were still ongoing on possible amendments. If the bill changes, it will have to go back to the House for final approval.
Trump has said he would not support any Republican who votes against his bill. Trump and his allies have repeatedly said National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service are biased.
“It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & (MSNBC) put together,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
The rescissions package would eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the next two fiscal years – 2026 and 2027. That money had already been appropriated by Congress. The U.S. House passed the bill, which cuts $9.4 billion over two years, in June.
Sen. Paul says he will vote for the bill
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday he would vote for the bill that would cut public broadcasting. Paul has long been a deficit hawk.
“Even though there are people who make arguments for it, and I can make an argument for a different way to cut it, we’re going to be presented with a $9 billion cut and a $2.2 trillion deficit,” Paul said. “So we have to cut spending. Absolutely have to cut spending.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how he would vote on possible cuts to Kentucky public media.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the lone Democrat in Kentucky’s Congressional delegation, voted against the cuts in the House. Republican Reps. Andy Barr, James Comer, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie and Hal Rogers voted in favor of the package.
Read the rest at the Herald-Leader.
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