Defend congressional authority against Trump's defunding of public media

Congress must stand firm in defending its constitutional authority over federal spending against President Trump's unilateral efforts to defund public media organizations like PBS and NPR. As a co-equal branch of government, Congress holds the "power of the purse" to appropriate funds as it sees fit. Trump's executive order directing cuts to CPB funding undermines this core legislative power. The public broadcasters provide essential educational and cultural programming that enriches communities nationwide. Claims of "bias" do not justify circumventing Congress's prerogative to fund these civic institutions. Lawmakers should use their oversight capabilities to block implementation of this order and reassert their constitutional role in determining how taxpayer dollars are allocated. Preserving the system of checks and balances is paramount. Congressional leaders must not allow the executive branch to encroach on legislative powers through unilateral actions like this funding cut ultimatum. Upholding the separation of powers is crucial to safeguarding American democracy against accumulations of power that our founders warned against. The stakes are high – Congress must decisively rebuff this executive overreach.