Republicans, in narrow votes, approve defunding NPR, PBS

Morelle faults GOP for ‘rubber-stamping reckless and cruel spending cuts’; Tenney backs ending ‘wasteful and woke spending’

Republicans in Senate and House of Representatives have both voted to end $1.1 billion federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and about $8 billion in foreign aid for global health and refugee assistance.

The Senate passed cutting the $9 billion in funding which had already been approved by Congress in a 51-48 vote, with the House then approving it 216-213.

U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, NY-24, was among the Republicans who backed the funding cuts. In an earlier vote to advance the measure, she said the cuts were “a bold step toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington.” She called NPR and PBS “left-wing propaganda outlets.” She said she supports ending “wasteful and woke spending.”

Elise Stefanik, a Republican from northern New York, cheered the passage of the cuts in Congress.

“This week, I voted to save the American taxpayer $9 billion of unobligated bloated spending via a rescissions package including defunding NPR, a promise I vowed to deliver to #NY21. Promises made, promises kept,” she said in an email to constituents today.

“The bill will now go to President Trump’s desk, fulfilling his mandate to rein in reckless spending and cut waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Congressman Joe Morelle, a Demcrat from Rochester, decried the cuts for public programs, such as PBS, NPR and rural radio. The legislation poses direct threats to local institutions, including Rochester’s WXXI News as well as endangers free educational TV, accessible emergency alerts, and local sports coverage, he said.

“Once again, House Republicans are rubber-stamping reckless and cruel spending cuts that will have a direct impact on communities like ours,” Morelle said. “Ripping away free educational resources like Sesame Street does nothing to improve the lives of our children and does not move us any closer to solving the real challenges our families face. My Republican colleagues need to stop bending the knee to Donald Trump and start standing up and standing with Democrats to protect the programs, resources, and fundamental rights Americans rely on.”