WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 31, 2025) -- Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee markup of the 2026 Labor and Health and Human Services appropriations bill, which provides no funding for CPB:
“CPB is deeply concerned that the Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill that threatens the survival of local public media stations essential in so many ways to the communities they serve.
“Following Congress’ earlier rescission of previously approved funds, this decision to provide no funding to CPB in FY 2026 will cause irreparable harm, especially to small and rural public media stations.
“The absence of future funding eliminates CPB’s ability to fulfill our statutory mission—providing support to nearly 1,500 local public media stations and making needed investments that help stations serve their communities.
“CPB, consistent with its role as designated by Congress, will continue serving as a responsible financial steward of federal funding, to help local stations prepare for and adjust to the loss of federal support. Our focus remains on supporting them through this transition and helping them navigate the challenges ahead.”
About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and program development for public radio, television, and related online services. For more information, visit www.cpb.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and subscribe for email updates.
