1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

As your constituent, I urge you to restore the Voice of America and related U.S.-funded news services so they can carry out the responsibilities Congress assigned them. Their severe disruption in 2025 and 2026 has deprived millions of people of reliable news and obstructed missions Congress established and funded. U.S. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICES WERE SHARPLY REDUCED Voice of America began broadcasting in February 1942 and has served overseas audiences for 84 years. Its operations were cut after more than 1,000 employees were placed on leave and contractors were dismissed. Other U.S.-funded news services also faced funding interruptions, layoffs, or cuts. PEOPLE LIVING UNDER CENSORSHIP ARE MORE EXPOSED TO PROPAGANDA These reductions leave people under authoritarian rule more exposed to propaganda, war disinformation, concealed abuses, and threats to their safety and freedom. They also weaken national security by giving hostile governments more room to spread falsehoods during crises. RESTORATION MUST PRESERVE EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE Restoration must preserve the editorial independence that gives these institutions credibility. Their value depends on audiences trusting the news as independent rather than as the message of the administration in power. Congress should require accountability for public funds while protecting newsroom decisions and reporting from partisan interference. CONGRESS MUST DEFEND ITS AUTHORITY Congress established and funded these missions. A federal district court ruled that major cuts violated federal law. An appeals court later stayed part of the restoration order while the case continues. When the executive branch withholds funds or blocks congressionally established missions, it undermines these institutions and Congress’s constitutional authority over spending and national policy. Congress should restore these institutions, defend its authority, and prevent similar future disruptions. RESTORE U.S. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICES AND PREVENT ANOTHER DISMANTLING (1) FULLY FUND AND RESTORE THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICES. Appropriate dedicated funding, require prompt use of appropriated funds, prohibit diversion, and restore the staffing, broadcasts, language services, digital operations, overseas coverage, and grants needed to carry out these missions. (2) PREVENT FURTHER DISMANTLING AND REQUIRE ACCOUNTABILITY. Prohibit material reductions without advance notice to Congress and specific authority under federal law. Require reports on staffing, programming, grants, audience reach, spending, and legal compliance. (3) PROTECT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY AND EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE. Defend Congress’s appropriations authority and these statutory missions. Establish bipartisan oversight, strengthen protections against political interference, and prevent any single political appointee from controlling newsroom decisions or reporting. Thank you.