PBS NC reacts after Congress passes bill that will bring drastic cuts to public media

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN/The Hill) — House Republicans late Thursday night approved the first batch of cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sending the $9 billion package to President Trump’s desk in a big victory for the GOP.

The legislation — which claws back already approved federal funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting — cleared the chamber in a mostly party-line 216-213 vote less than a day after the Senate passed the measure.

Federal funding is a vital component to the budget at PBS North Carolina at a rate of $4.8 million a year. On Friday, PBS NC CEO and General Manager David Crabtree gave CBS 17 the following statement after the passage of the major cuts bill.

“For more than 70 years, PBS North Carolina has been committed to serving all North Carolinians. This week’s passage of the rescission bill is an alarming step compromising the longstanding public-private partnership local stations like PBS North Carolina rely on to serve our communities.

Federal funding represents more than $4 million of our annual operating budget. These dollars are essential to the work we do every day—from providing trusted educational programming for children and families, to maintaining critical emergency communication infrastructure across the state, to sharing stories that reflect the voices and experiences of North Carolinians.

While this action threatens our ability to deliver on that mission, and much remains unknown, what is absolute is our unwavering commitment to remain focused, resilient, and determined as we move forward.” — CEO and General Manager David Crabtree, PBS NC

The package not only took aim at PBS, but also notably NPR, by way of cutting funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. These are two outlets Republicans have labeled as politically biased.

According to reporting from The Hill, Republicans see the bill as a critical “test run” for the party, as Trump administration officials have already indicated they aim to send multiple special requests to Congress to claw back more funding if the first package makes it through.