NPR Urges Stations to Advocate Against Federal Funding Cuts Amid Trump Administration’s Budget Proposal

NPR is actively encouraging its member stations to reach out to their congressional representatives as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to eliminate federal funding from public broadcasting.

A memo distributed on Monday came in response to reports revealing the administration’s plan to present a rescissions package to Congress this week, earlier than the previously expected date of April 28. Lawmakers might vote on this funding cut as early as the week of May 5.

In the memo, which was first reported by The New York Times, NPR indicated an urgent shift in communication strategies. It stated, “In preparation, we are moving up the timelines for all stakeholder communications. NPR’s Policy and Representation team has drafted new templates for station and grasstops stakeholder activation. We ask for a deadline of May 2 for those letters to be delivered to lawmakers. Engage your Board members, Community Advisory Board, station volunteers, major supporters, community partners, business leaders, and emergency officials who work with your station and ask them to communicate to Congress their opposition to rescission and support for your station.”

NPR also requested that its stations notify the national headquarters once they dispatch letters to lawmakers, and to share any responses received.

Moreover, the memo highlighted NPR’s collaboration with Protect My Public Media, promising further instructions on mobilizing advocates. “On-air scripts are currently available through the PMPM Partner Portal, if you would like to begin pre-recording messages,” it stated.

NPR encouraged its stations to meet with their Members of Congress during the current recess, emphasizing the importance of these connections during this critical time.

The organization did not provide immediate comments in response to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

In earlier developments, the Trump administration’s budget director, Russ Vought, circulated a memo earlier this month urging Republican lawmakers to eliminate $1.1 billion allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and an additional $8.3 billion intended for USAID.

Vought’s memo reflected a long-standing agenda of the administration, asserting, “Since day one, the Trump Administration has targeted waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal spending through executive action, DOGE review, and other efforts by departments and agencies. Congress has expressed strong interest in supporting those efforts, and requested the Administration transmit rescissions to the Hill for swift approval.”

Alongside the proposed budget cuts, NPR and PBS leaders have faced scrutiny from lawmakers about perceived political bias within public media. Recently, NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher and PBS’s CEO Paula Kerger testified under questioning from Republican lawmakers regarding their funding.

In direct response to the memo by Vought, Kerger raised concerns about the consequences of federal funding cuts, highlighting the crucial role that public media plays in American communities. She stated, “The effort underway to get Congress to rescind public media funding would disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people.”

Kerger continued by emphasizing the longstanding bipartisan support from Congress, asserting, “There’s nothing more American than PBS, and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress. This public-private partnership allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and also supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality.”

She warned that rescinding these funds would significantly harm PBS member stations, particularly smaller and rural stations that depend heavily on federal funding. “Without PBS member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis,” she cautioned.

Kerger concluded her statement by emphasizing PBS’s commitment to highlighting important issues, saying, “We are proud to highlight real issues, individuals, and places that would otherwise be ignored by commercial media. We look forward to demonstrating our value to Congress, as we have over the last 50 years, to maintain our pledge to the American people to keep our organization, and service, strong and vital.”