1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

Cutting federal funding for public media like PBS and NPR would deal a devastating blow to communities across the nation that rely on them for trusted local and national news, educational programming, emergency alerts, and more. These outlets serve the public interest by providing free, nonpartisan content that enriches and informs Americans of all backgrounds. Stripping away their financial support would cripple smaller stations, especially in rural areas underserved by corporate media. Public broadcasting has long enjoyed bipartisan backing precisely because it plays a vital role in our democracy by ensuring access to quality journalism and educational resources. Preserving this public-private partnership allows PBS and NPR to prepare millions of children for success while offering high-caliber programming that broadens perspectives. Losing these invaluable public services would leave many communities disconnected and uninformed. I strongly urge maintaining robust funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to uphold our nation's proud tradition of public media. These institutions are essential for a well-informed citizenry and an equitable society. Defunding them would impoverish us all.