1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

Defunding public broadcasting like PBS would inflict unthinkable harm on children nationwide, depriving an entire generation of invaluable educational resources and programming. Shows like Sesame Street taught kids foundational skills like counting in multiple languages, while the nurturing wisdom of Mister Rogers fostered emotional intelligence by exploring the power of imagination and make-believe. Reading Rainbow instilled a love of literature by exposing youth to diverse books and authors. These iconic series represent merely a fraction of the enriching content public media provides in service of early childhood development and school readiness. Gutting federal funds would disproportionately devastate underserved communities, inequitably stripping access from the very children who stand to benefit most. Safeguarding this vital public good should be a paramount priority to ensure equal opportunity for all kids to learn, discover, and thrive.