House Republicans raise concerns about public broadcasting and AIDS program cuts

House Republicans are raising concerns about cuts to public broadcasting and an AIDS prevention program that are part of a $9.4 billion package of spending reductions scheduled for a vote Thursday. Here’s what you need to know about the spending cuts controversy:

The $9.4 billion spending package

White House seeks first DOGE savings through rescissions:

• $8.3 billion cuts from various foreign aid accounts
• $1.1 billion cuts from public broadcasting
• First Department of Government Efficiency savings for Congressional approval
• Rescissions process would eliminate obligation to spend previously appropriated funds

The political math

GOP leaders confident despite member concerns:

• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer says “It’s going to pass”
• Republicans can afford no more than three defections
• Assumes all Democrats vote against the package
• Leaders believe they can alleviate concerns without removing cuts

The public broadcasting cuts

Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding elimination:

• $1.1 billion cut would eliminate most CPB federal funding
• CPB helps fund NPR, PBS and local affiliates
• White House calls CPB “politically biased and unnecessary expense”
• Cuts target advanced funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027

The rural media concerns

Republicans worry about local affiliate impact:

• Rep. Mark Amodei says local stations often only media in rural areas
• 70% of CPB funding goes to local TV stations according to Amodei
• Local affiliates would need to raise money to fill gap
• Rep. Mike Simpson shares concerns but supports broader package

The AIDS prevention program cuts

PEPFAR funding reduction proposed:

• $400 million cut from $6 billion President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
• Program created during George W. Bush administration
• Cuts target “woke” training programs, not medical treatments
• Rep. Don Bacon initially concerned but became more comfortable

The wasteful spending examples

White House cites specific PEPFAR expenditures:

• $5.1 million to strengthen LGBTQI+ global movements
• $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies, and condoms in Zambia
• $833,000 for transgender services in Nepal
• Administration calls programs “antithetical to American interests”

The Republican holdouts

Several GOP members still examining package:

• Rep. Daniel Newhouse wants to ensure nothing important eliminated
• Rep. David Joyce continuing to review potential impacts
• Rep. David Valadao expressed concerns to PBS reporter
• All three are appropriators with vested interest in Congressional spending

The Senate complications

Upper chamber may require changes:

• Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins opposes PEPFAR cuts
• Collins wants to remove PEPFAR provision entirely
• Says prevention programs “extremely successful”
• Package not guaranteed to pass Senate unchanged

The broader Trump agenda

OMB Director Russell Vought’s targeting rationale:

• Eliminate World Health Organization funding
• Cut LGBTQI+ activities and “equity” programs
• Remove “radical Green New Deal-type policies”
• End “color revolutions in hostile places around the world”

Read more:

• House Republicans get vexed by cutting public broadcasting, anti-AIDS programs