PBS chief: Funding cuts will be 'devastating' for rural areas

PBS CEO and President Paula Kerger said funding cuts to the outlet, expected to pass the House on Thursday, will be “devastating” for rural areas.

“The Senate just approved a rescissions package that goes against the will of the American people, the vast majority of whom trust PBS and believe we provide excellent value to their communities,” Kerger said in a statement provided to The Hill on Thursday. “These cuts will significantly impact all of our stations, but will be especially devastating to smaller stations and those serving large rural areas.

Kerger also said most PBS stations, “which provide access to free unique local programming and emergency alerts, will now be forced to make hard decisions in the weeks and months ahead.

“There is nothing more American than PBS. Despite today’s setback, we are determined to keep fighting to preserve the essential services we provide to the American public,” she added.

Overnight into Thursday, the Senate voted to claw back $9 billion in federal funding for worldwide aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which oversees PBS and NPR, sending the package asked for by President Trump back to the House for a final vote.

Last week, Trump threatened to withhold his backing for any Republican who opposed the package.

“It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & MSDNC put together,” Trump wrote last week. “Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.”