WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Andy Kim voiced opposition Monday to a $1 billion cut to public broadcasting proposed by former President Donald Trump, urging the Senate to block reductions to funding that supports national media and educational programming.
Kim, who represents New Jersey, said public broadcasting plays a vital role in delivering essential news, information, and entertainment to Americans of all ages.
“Public broadcasting has enriched so many of our lives from providing us critical news and information to free, accessible entertainment for all ages,” Kim said in a statement posted on social media. “The Senate must stand up to stop Trump’s $1 billion cuts to these critical programs.”
Trump’s proposed reduction would affect funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports PBS, NPR, and local stations across the country. Similar efforts to eliminate or reduce public media funding were made during Trump’s previous administration but failed to pass in Congress.
The Senate has not yet taken formal action on the proposed cuts.
Sen. Kim has made media access and civic education a recurring theme in his policy positions, particularly as he campaigns in a contested statewide race.
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Trump’s proposal has drawn criticism from several congressional Democrats, who argue that public broadcasting is especially important for rural and underserved communities where commercial media outlets are limited.