VIDEO: At Appropriations Committee Hearing on Proposed Funding Cuts, Senator Peters Underscores Importance of Local Public Broadcasting, Secures Commitment to Distribute Congressionally Approved Funding as Directed by Law

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) underscored the importance of local public broadcasting at an Appropriations Committee hearing with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought. Peters’ questioning comes amid Republican efforts to cut critical funding for local television and radio stations that provide emergency alert services, educational content, local news and more to communities across Michigan. The proposed cuts would eliminate communities’ access to critical resources and safety information, particularly rural communities.  

“Cuts to public broadcasting won’t just hurt communities’ access to local news and education, but as you heard, it’s going to cut critical funds for rural television and radio stations like WNMU in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, WKAR in Lansing, and more, that provide emergency alert services during disasters and public safety situations. They’re often the only folks that do that, particularly in rural America,” said Senator Peters. “Earlier this year, WCMU out of Mount Pleasant, Michigan saved lives when it stepped up to coordinate emergency information during a catastrophic ice storm in Michigan when commercial towers went down.”  

Peters continued, “This is not a luxury, but it’s a fundamental public responsibility. Public broadcasters are the backbone of emergency alerting, but I've heard from Michigan broadcasters, especially those in rural areas, that they may not survive if these cuts go through. That could mean no emergency alerts for over 250,000 residents in the Upper Peninsula alone, not to mention the thousands more in Northern Michigan, Mid-Michigan, or the Thumb.” 

In his response, Vought refused to answer Peters’ questions about how the Administration’s proposed cuts to local public TV and radio would threaten public safety. 

During the hearing, Peters also underscored the need for OMB and the current Administration to distribute funding that Congress has passed into law on a bipartisan basis.  

Peters said, “The Impoundment Control Act only permits the President to refuse to spend the funds proposed for rescission for up to 45 days. If Congress does not approve a rescission package, the President then must release the funds to be spent on these critical projects. Do you commit that, if Congress does not pass a rescission bill to cancel these funds, that the Administration will then release them so that they can be spent?”  

In his response, Peters secured a commitment from Vought to release these funds as directed by law if Congress fails to pass this harmful proposal to cut funding for public broadcasting and other critical resources that serve Michigan communities. 

To watch the full video of Senator Peters’ questioning, click here.  

###