The Senate is expected to vote on NPR cuts soon. Here are 3 ways to take action.
By Ele Ellis, Stephanie Rogers
June 4, 2025 at 4:06 PM EDT
Last updated: June 23 at 2 p.m.
Earlier this spring, we told you that BPR is facing a potential $330,000 budget shortfall due to potential cuts to federal funding for public media.
Now, that threat is escalating.
Soon, the Senate will vote on a rescissions package — a fast-track proposal to Congress to claw back $1.1B of pre-approved funds for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a nonprofit that distributes funds to NPR, PBS and local public media stations including BPR.
The latest statements from Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicate that the Senate is prioritizing the reconciliation bill, pushing focus on the rescissions package to just beyond the July 4th recess (June 30-July 4).
The measure must receive a simple majority vote and be approved by July 18 for it to take effect. The House of Representatives previously passed the package by a narrow margin on June 12.
If the rescissions package goes into effect, BPR would lose about 9% of our budget. That’s money we rely on to produce local news, provide public safety updates and emergency coverage, maintain our radio towers and transmitters and so much more.
This isn’t just about government policy. This is about whether Western North Carolina will continue to have access to trusted, fact-based news — especially rural parts of our community that have no other way to access reliable information.
Please take urgent action.
3 ways you can help right now
1. Email Congress
Even if you have previously voiced your support for BPR, NPR and public media, you can and should contact them again to oppose the rescission package.
Protect My Public Media's simple template makes it easy to contact your legislators.
2. Call your senator
Calls to Congress can help lawmakers know that you support public media, and indicate how their state or district is thinking about an issue.
Here’s a script.
I’m calling to urge [LAWMAKER NAME] to oppose efforts to eliminate federal funding for public media. My local station, Blue Ridge Public Radio, is a vital part of our community — it connects us and keeps us informed on issues of local importance, especially during emergencies.
Without this funding, stations like ours could go dark. That’s not a risk I’m willing to accept. Please oppose the rescission proposal, and tell the Appropriations Committee you support continued level funding for public media in the FY 2026 appropriation.
You can find the names and phone numbers of your local lawmakers on the N.C. Legislature’s website.
3. Share your BPR story
Your experiences with BPR are the best example of why our station is a critical part of our local community. Share how BPR has informed, educated, or supported you. These stories can also be powerful testimonials to share with lawmakers and community members.
Submit your story in an email or via a voice memo.
Other recent updates
Earlier this spring, we told you that BPR is facing a potential $330,000 budget shortfall due to potential cuts to federal funding for public media.
Now, that threat is escalating.
Soon, the Senate will vote on a rescissions package — a fast-track proposal to Congress to claw back $1.1B of pre-approved funds for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a nonprofit that distributes funds to NPR, PBS and local public media stations including BPR.
The latest statements from Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicate that the Senate is prioritizing the reconciliation bill, pushing focus on the rescissions package to just beyond the July 4th recess (June 30-July 4).
The measure must receive a simple majority vote and be approved by July 18 for it to take effect. The House of Representatives previously passed the package by a narrow margin on June 12.
If the rescissions package goes into effect, BPR would lose about 9% of our budget. That’s money we rely on to produce local news, provide public safety updates and emergency coverage, maintain our radio towers and transmitters and so much more.
This isn’t just about government policy. This is about whether Western North Carolina will continue to have access to trusted, fact-based news — especially rural parts of our community that have no other way to access reliable information.
Please take urgent action.
3 ways you can help right now
1. Email Congress
Even if you have previously voiced your support for BPR, NPR and public media, you can and should contact them again to oppose the rescission package.
Protect My Public Media's simple template makes it easy to contact your legislators.
2. Call your senator
Calls to Congress can help lawmakers know that you support public media, and indicate how their state or district is thinking about an issue.
Here’s a script.
I’m calling to urge [LAWMAKER NAME] to oppose efforts to eliminate federal funding for public media. My local station, Blue Ridge Public Radio, is a vital part of our community — it connects us and keeps us informed on issues of local importance, especially during emergencies.
Without this funding, stations like ours could go dark. That’s not a risk I’m willing to accept. Please oppose the rescission proposal, and tell the Appropriations Committee you support continued level funding for public media in the FY 2026 appropriation.
You can find the names and phone numbers of your local lawmakers on the N.C. Legislature’s website.
3. Share your BPR story
Your experiences with BPR are the best example of why our station is a critical part of our local community. Share how BPR has informed, educated, or supported you. These stories can also be powerful testimonials to share with lawmakers and community members.
Submit your story in an email or via a voice memo.
Other recent updates
- Senate likely to take up rescissions package soon: Recent comments from the Senate Majority Leader indicate that the Senate will likely vote as soon as lawmakers return from their upcoming recess (June 30-July 4).
- Rescission package passes the House, moves to the Senate: On June 12, the House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets. The measure passed largely along party lines, 214 to 212, with two key Republican lawmakers switching their votes from "no" to "yes" to push it over the finish line. Read more.
- NPR sues the White House: On May 27, NPR and three Colorado public radio stations filed a lawsuit against the White House’s executive order. The lawsuit says that the order violates the Constitution and free speech protections under the First Amendment. Read NPR CEO Katherine Maher’s statement on the suit.