Three things we should all do right now to protect PBS and NPR

[mahina]

From Hawaii Public Radio. Please do, and please share your action here. Mahalo (thank you!)

“Now is the time to use your voice and show your support. Here are three things you can do:

Write or call our senators and ask them to urge their fellow lawmakers to stand up for public media by voting down this rescission package. If you are one of the many fans and supporters of HPR not in Hawaiʻi, you can use this simple form from Protect My Public Media to get the message to elected officials in your state.
Share this message with your family, friends and networks and encourage them to use their voice. If you are on social media, we've made it easy for you to show your support with our outreach kit.
Donate to HPR. We are a community-backed public service that is able to serve Hawaiʻi because of the support we receive from the people we do this essential work for.
Attempts to defund public media have happened in the past, but none have gotten this far.

As this rescission package moves to the Senate, there's still a fighting chance to protect HPR and all public media.

At HPR, we have been humbled and wowed by the outpouring of so many forms of support and encouragement — emails, calls, donations and spreading the word to family and friends. Mahalo to our supporters and fans for all the inspiration that readies us for the continued battle ahead, and for the continued fight against misinformation and polarization.

You are invited to join us for a town hall conversation Wednesday, June 18 at 12:30 p.m. We'll share updates and next steps, and welcome your thoughts and questions. REGISTER HERE.

Now is the time to stand with Hawaiʻi Public Radio — and all of public media — and show your support for the truly essential work that informs, inspires, and connects Hawaiʻi and communities everywhere.

We are honored to serve you, and all of Hawaiʻi, now and always.”

[cliffside]

1. knr - Posted this in another thread - What is a rescission package? Here's how Republicans plan to make more cuts

https://democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20478143


President Trump has proposed cutting $9.4 billion in previously allocated funds for things like USAID, NPR and PBS, and more.

https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/what-is-a-rescission-package-heres-how-republicans-plan-to-make-more-cuts

Posted 4:09 PM, Jul 09, 2025

"Congress recently passed a significant tax and spending bill that increases funding for defense, the border, and includes tax cuts. However, this summer, Congress is shifting gears—standing poised to cut already allocated funds.

President Trump is calling on Congress to approve what's known as a "rescission package" in the coming days. This request allows the president to cancel previously allocated funds, a power granted by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Congress has until July 18 to respond to Trump's proposal.

The president is seeking a total cut of $9.4 billion. Proposed cuts include defunding the U.S. Agency for International Development, former President George W. Bush's AIDS relief program, and federal support for PBS and NPR.

... While the House has already approved this legislation despite Democratic opposition, the Senate has yet to take action. Legal experts warn that Congress must vote by next Friday, or the White House will be required to spend the allocated funds..."


https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4/text

H.R.4 - Rescissions Act of 2025

"Sponsor: Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1] (Introduced 06/06/2025)
Committees: House - Appropriations | Senate - Appropriations; Budget
Committee Meetings: 06/10/25 2:00PM
Latest Action: Senate - 07/10/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred jointly to the Committee on Appropriations; the Budget pursuant to the order of 1/30/1975 as amended by the order of 4/11/1986. (All Actions)
Roll Call Votes: There have been 2 roll call votes"



Trump Rescission Proposal Builds on Illegal Impoundments, Would Undermine Future Funding Deals
JULY 10, 2025 | BY DEVIN O’CONNOR, SAM BERGER AND JACOB LEIBENLUFT

https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/trump-rescission-proposal-builds-on-illegal-impoundments-would-undermine


"... But this rescission package did not come to Congress under normal circumstances. The Administration illegally impounded the funds at issue for months before proposing the package. Moreover, the Administration is unlawfully withholding much larger amounts of funding that it has not proposed for rescission, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought has indicated an intention to ignore existing spending directives in the future “without having to get an affirmative vote [from Congress].”[4] In short, this rescission package is part of a broader Administration effort that threatens to fundamentally upend Congress’s spending power under the Constitution and undermine lawmakers’ ability to negotiate future spending deals in good faith..."