Federal & State Funding FAQs - updated 6/26/25

CPB funding and its support of WTIP

What we know: 6/26/25

A Senate Appropriations Committee hearing was held June 24.

This hearing focused on the proposed rescissions package that includes a $1.1 billion cut in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). 

As you know, the White House sent a proposed rescissions package to Congress on June 3 that would claw back money previously appropriated by Congress. Congress has 45 days to pass it, with only a majority vote required. If it is not passed by July 18, the proposal dies.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Rescission Act of 2025, on June 12, and now the bill is with the Senate for consideration. Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing with Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, testifying. During the hearing, Vought called funding for public media “wasteful” and urged Senators to pass the rescissions package that takes back funding from the CPB.

6/19/25

6/12/25

From :

Patricia de Stacy Harrison; President and CEO; Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 214-212 to approve the President’s rescissions package, which claws back $1.1 billion of already appropriated funding for CPB for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

While this was not unexpected, it is extremely concerning. Federal funding is essential for public media, and particularly for your stations. Eliminating funding is an existential threat to many stations in rural and remote areas, which have a much greater challenge in raising non-federal dollars.

Millions of Americans rely upon and trust public media for high quality educational content, information, and life-saving alerts.

But the battle is not over. It now goes to the Senate, where complicated legislative procedures could delay the vote. The whole process must take place within 45 legislative days of the proposal being sent to Congress, which the Senate parliamentarian has said is July 18.

Patricia de Stacy Harrison

6/11/25

Yesterday evening, the House Rules Committee reported out a rule on a party-line vote that provides for the consideration of H.R. 4, the package that would rescind the previously appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in FY 2026 and FY 2027.

No amendments to the bill will be allowed. The Floor consideration will involve two votes: a procedural vote on the rule around 4:15 p.m. ET today, which is expected to pass, clearing the way for a House Floor vote on the bill tomorrow (Thursday). Exact timing is TBD.
 
If the bill passes the House, it will then move to the Senate – where it only needs 50 votes to pass. We are still hearing that a number of Republican Members have objections to the rescissions package, but they are facing substantial pressure to support this measure. We are working urgently to stop this package before it reaches the Senate. 

                                                                                                             Your Action needed
 
Ahead of tomorrow’s vote, we are urging all advocates to call their House offices in opposition. To call your representative visit                                                                                                   Protect My Public Media.org

6/10/25

6/04/25

The White House transmitted a rescissions package to Congress that would claw back already approved funding for public media. Congress has a limited timeframe to act on this measure – 45 session days – but a vote in the House could happen within days.
 
The Administration can now temporarily withhold any funding included in the plan. If Congress doesn’t approve the plan – or can’t get enough votes to pass it – the funds must be released. If the package passes the House, the Senate can approve it with a simple majority of just 50 votes, and Congress can modify what’s included.

• The proposed cuts would trim $1.1 billion from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting

• NPR and PBS receive the bulk of their funding from nongovernmental sources, but the Corporation for Public Broadcasting allocates about $535 million in federal funding annually to them and goes to smaller stations like WTIP

If the proposal is approved, WTIP stands to lose approximately $170,000 of our 2025 budget and $238,000, or 25% of our 2026 budget.

What is CPB?

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. CPB does not produce programming. Instead, funding is distributed directly to local stations, allowing them to tailor programming to best serve their communities. “Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government,” Corporation for Public Broadcasting CEO Patricia Harris wrote in a statement on May 2.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on May 2 directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cancel funding for both PBS and NPR. Executives at those media organizations are pushing back — arguing that the changes are unlawful. 

While the impact would be nationwide, it would hit rural areas like ours the hardest—where access to local news, music, and emergency alerts are limited.

What are the key things I should know about federal funding from CPB?

• Public media serves 99% of the U.S. population and millions of Americans daily.
• Funding for public media accounts for just 0.01% of the federal budget and amounts to about $1.60 per person.  
• Each station is locally managed and invests federal funding in programs and services tailored to its community.
• CPB funding allows public media stations to pool resources towards satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, music licensing and development of educational programs, all of which would be too expensive for stations to do on their own.

The Critical Role of Federal & State Funding

Many listeners may assume WTIP is part of Minnesota Public Radio but we are an independent station and do not receive any funding from them.

The Minnesota State legislature has decreased the funding level for WTIP, from The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy Funds), in the biennium starting in FY26 (July 2025) by $30,000, and it is unclear if this reduction in funding will continue into FY27.

Breakdown of WTIP’s Funding Sources:

• Individual Donations: 29% 
• Underwriters: 11% 
• Grants: 56%
  • 25% from CPB
  • 11% from The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy Funds)
• Other: 4%

How You Can Support WTIP and Public Media

Your voice and support can make a difference. To ensure the future of public media, you can:

• Spread the Word: Follow WTIP on Facebook, subscribe to our newsletter, and encourage friends and family to support us.
• Donate to WTIP: If you’re already a member, thank you. If you’re not, now is a great time to renew or increase your support.
• Advocate for Public Broadcasting: Stay informed and urge Congress to save CPB Funding at Protect My Public Media.org