WASHINGTON, DC — SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND DENOUNCED THE U.S. SENATE’S OVERNIGHT VOTE TO PASS A RECISSIONS PACKAGE. The package significantly cuts about $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid. The package is expected to reduce only a small fraction of the national debt. Democrats were united against the bill; three Republicans joined them.
Gillibrand said in a statement Thursday, “I’m appalled that Senate Republicans voted to slash funding for the programs that our rural communities rely on. Our public broadcasting system is one of the few remaining institutions committed to providing free, fact-based programming to every American regardless of zip code. By rescinding funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, this legislation threatens to gut funding for the local radio and television stations that millions of families rely on for trusted news, high-quality educational content and lifesaving emergency alerts.”
“Public broadcasters often serve as the only source of information about natural disasters, transportation accidents, national security threats and public safety matters in areas that face limited connectivity … At a time when misinformation is rampant, taking away this content is dangerous and irresponsible,” said Gillibrand.
That legislative package now goes to the House, which has a narrow GOP majority.
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