Before I start: If you took action with me to save funding for public TV and radio, I hope you know how much I truly appreciate you joining me in this fight.
So I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but earlier this morning at about 2:30 AM after I forced hours of amendment votes, Republicans still voted to shred funding for PBS and NPR by passing Trump's more than $9 billion DOGE budget cut wishlist.
The GOP wants us to think that after passing trillions in tax cuts for billionaires, there's nothing left for our kids.
Maybe this isn't exactly how "Sesame Street" would say it, but we know that this message is brought to you by the letters B-S – because even a child could calculate that these billions in cuts still won't come close to adding up to cover what Trump's Big, Ugly Bill is adding to the national debt! (We can thank Count von Count on "Sesame Street" for that.)
Sadly, I can't make my GOP colleagues tune in to brush up on their math and reading skills, let alone instill some compassion for their constituents with a few episodes of"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
See, polling shows that the American people overwhelmingly support their taxes going to NPR and PBS, not tax cuts for billionaires.
Americans know that ripping away funds that help over 1,500 local affiliates nationwide keep the lights on will only force stations like those in rural communities to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and, in many cases, go off the air for good.
While it won't be the death knell for PBS and NPR's national networks, it will hurt the people who tune in for emergency alerts, unbiased news, and quality educational programs for all ages – and We the People won't have anyone but Trump and the GOP to blame when that happens.
So if everyone who supports funding for public media were to chip in $5 now, we'd have the resources to remind them that feeding Big Bird to the fat cats will cost them their majorities come Election Day. But realistically, I know not everyone will. That's why today, friend, I'm counting on you.
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