McClellan Statement on Passage of Republicans’ Rescissions Bill Defunding Public Broadcasting and National Security Programs

July 17, 2025 Press Release Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting and national security programs: “Tonight, House Republicans once again rubber stamped Donald Trump’s extreme agenda by slashing Congressionally approved funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid. “Public broadcasting strengthens our communities by delivering life-saving emergency alert services, important coverage of state and local news and government meetings, and educational programming for children. While federal funding comprises a small portion of NPR’s and PBS’s overall revenue, it is critical to local stations in rural and underserved communities. Public broadcasting cuts abandon these communities as part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to quash freedom of speech and the press. “The foreign aid cuts continue the Trump Administration’s actions weakening America’s leadership abroad and will lead to millions of preventable deaths. Adversaries like China and Russia now have an opportunity to fill these gaps in leadership, placing our national security interests further at risk.” ### Issues : Congress