The following letter was sent to my House Rep and both Senators:
Rep. Bill Huizenga,
Please oppose any cuts to public broadcasting services, including Trump’s demand to cut funding destined for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Money for NPR and PBS is well-spent on valuable news, information, and educational programming for the American public, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Sincerely,
Rev. Kenneth Arthur
Response from Rep. Huizenga received on April 17, 2025:
Dear Mr. Arthur,
Thank you for contacting me regarding funding for public media. I always appreciate hearing from constituents and welcome this opportunity to respond.
As you may know, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a private, nonprofit corporation created by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. The CPB’s budget is composed entirely of an annual appropriation from Congress. The CPB then distributes funding and grants to over 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations. Previously, I have voted in support of some appropriations bills that provide funding for the CPB .
Responsible public media and telecommunications policy can ensure millions of Americans are informed on current events and emergency situations. This is why I have cosponsored legislation like the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023, to keep AM radio devices in all new motor vehicles.
I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should legislation related to funding for public media come up for a vote in the 119th Congress.
Again, I appreciate you contacting me, and please do not hesitate to do so in the future. To stay up to date with the latest news on our work in Congress, you may sign up at huizenga.house.gov/forms/emailsignup to receive my e-newsletter
Sincerely,
Bill Huizenga
Member of Congress
Response from Senator on June 12, 2025:
Dear Mr. Arthur,
Thank you for reaching out to my office to share your thoughts on the importance of public media funding. I’ve been setting up our D.C. and Michigan offices, so I apologize for the delayed response to your message. As your new Senator as of January 2025, I sincerely appreciate hearing from you.
Since January, I have heard from thousands of Michiganders deeply concerned about cuts to federal funding of public media. Public broadcasting is a critical resource that makes our communities more informed, creative, and prepared for emergencies. Access to public media has helped generations of Michiganders learn to read, supported crisis response efforts, and served under resourced populations with local journalism and cultural programming.
I strongly oppose recent Trump Administration actions that could harm public media access for Michiganders. The President recently signed an Executive Order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease funding for PBS and NPR. This administration, like every administration, must follow the law, and the law says that federal funding levels are decided by Congress, not the president. For fiscal year 2025, Congress appropriated over $500 million to the Corportation of Public Broadcasting. To date, Congress has not taken any action to rescind this appropriated funding. A presidential declaration cannot legally override Congress and claw back this funding.
I am also monitoring potential cuts to public media funding in future budgets. In the President’s fiscal year 2026 budget request, all funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting was removed. This would effectively eliminate the organization. The Corporation of Public Broadcasting does not just support national media companies, but funds 43 radio and TV stations across Michigan. In rural areas throughout Michigan, public radio serves as the only emergency alert system to warn our public about natural disasters and threats to their safety. Local public broadcasting provides an important resource to Michigan families, and we would all feel the harm of its dismantling.
I signed a letter supporting continued funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting in this year’s budget. Additionally, in March, I joined a resolution condemning the President’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education, along with other actions this Administration has taken to impact our public education system. I will continue to fight to make sure the federal government preserves its investments in public media and educational resources and safeguards resources that benefit Michiganders.
Once again, sincere thanks for reaching out. I believe that engaging your elected officials is a critical component of our democracy and allows us to better represent you, so thank you for taking the time to get in touch.
Last thing: if you want to keep up with my work for Michigan in the U.S. Senate, you can visit my website at https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/services/newsletter/ and sign up for my newsletter. You can also find regular updates on social media by following me on Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, or Instagram. The most important part of my job is being responsive to Michiganders and ensuring their concerns are heard. Please do not hesitate to contact me for this or any other matter of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Elissa Slotkin
U.S. Senator for Michigan