Senate advances deep cuts to public media funding

The Senate voted early Thursday to revoke a billion dollars in already approved funding for NPR, PBS and other public broadcasters.

The measure, known formally as a “rescission package,” is a request from President Donald Trump to take back $9 billion in funds that Congress has already appropriated for foreign aid and public broadcasting. Trump sent the request to Congress June 3, and it passed the House later that month. The Senate passed an amended version of the bill early Thursday morning 51-48, largely along party lines. The amended bill now requires final approval from the House, which has until Friday to pass it by a majority vote, otherwise the funds will be disbursed.