Alaska Congressman Nick Begich voted Thursday in favor of a sweeping federal rescissions package that claws back $9.4 billion in previously approved but unspent government funds. The bill, House Resolution 4, passed the US House in a narrow 214–212 vote and now heads to the Senate.
In a statement released on X, Begich called the measure “a necessary step for restoring fiscal responsibility in our nation,” adding that “America has been built on principles of freedom of expression, self-determination, sovereignty, personal responsibility, and limited government. This package supports those values by rescinding $9.4 billion from programs that do not reflect the will of the taxpaying public.”
The legislation cancels funds that had been allocated to various foreign aid efforts and to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS stations nationwide, including Alaska’s public radio and television networks. Much of the targeted foreign spending was routed through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which Begich described as “ideologically-shaped” and “misused to promote political and socially left policies abroad” under the Obama and Biden administrations.
“This package helps refocus our support in ways that are consistent with America’s core values, rather than promote the agendas of international bureaucracies and ideological NGOs,” Begich wrote in a statement.
The congressman said cuts to public broadcasting subsidies, are due in part to how the media landscape has changed dramatically since the early days of radio.
“While rural communities have in the past been indirectly supported through state-sponsored media, we must acknowledge how far we have come in terms of connectivity since the birth of radio more than 120 years ago. Alaskan residents have embraced today’s pervasive cellular, satellite, and wireline technologies, connecting rural communities to critical information and resources in rich and compelling ways.”
Rescission does not affect emergency management funding directed to rural communities. “Importantly,” he said, “emergency management funding from these budgets that is directed to rural communities has been preserved.”
He added that he will continue to support both “new connectivity technologies” and “durable legacy technologies such as radio and long-range digital television” to ensure Alaska’s remote communities stay connected.
A rescission, under the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, allows Congress to cancel previously approved funding that hasn’t yet been spent. It requires only a simple majority in both chambers, making it easier to pass than most other forms of budget legislation.
While rare, rescissions are sometimes used to signal fiscal restraint or redirect funds away from programs that have become politically unpopular.
With the House’s narrow approval, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where senators like Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins are unlikely to go against public broadcasting, which has been a political ally of theirs for years. Murkowski also has issued statements in support of USAID, calling the cuts by the Trump Administration a “confusing and callous handling of personnel matters.”
Such an asinine move. Alaska relies on public radio for emergencies and connecting our communities.
I don’t. If CPB, NPR and PBS had half a measure of intellectual honesty, they would not be in this situation. They are biased, know they are biased and proud of it. For rural communities – which amount to no more than twenty percent of the population – perhaps the omnipotent Native regional corporations can step in and up and run rural radio stations.
Your lack of knowledge is laughable.
Thank you NB!
Clearly you did not read the entire article:
“Rescission does not affect emergency management funding directed to rural communities. “Importantly,” he said, “emergency management funding from these budgets that is directed to rural communities has been preserved.”
Clearly you also own a computer or at least a cellphone on which to find and read news just like this article. If you like AK Public Media, trust me they will take any dollar you want to donate to them.
That was true 50 years ago but not the case today.
Nothing is stopping your from sending your money to fund PBS….
I have never ever relied on public radio for alerts, news or anything else.
I have listened to NPR rarely and one hilarious ‘news’ story comes to mind that we heard first hand while driving in Michigan. During the ‘bridge to nowhere’ days, about 15 years ago, NPR couldn’t even get straight that there were two separate bridges proposed in Alaska. Their ‘news’, which was a made up hodge-podge of mis information, created a fictitious hybrid of the two bridges – the one between Pt MacKenzie and Anchorage, and the one from a Ketchikan to the island airport. The story was so convoluted and sounded like one bridge between Ketchikan and Pt Mac. They are good at propaganda, and maybe Prairie Home Companion, but I would never go to them for any emergency alert. During the earthquake aftermath here in the valley we tuned in to the privately owned local station 99.7.
Where will Nick Begich be for the upcoming Military Parade? Inquiring minds want to know…
This is the worse NPR no emergency generators they can not even tell you why the power is out let alone a real emergency in Talkeetna.
We need Public radio. This is another attempt by the Trump Administration and Republicans to silence the truth. A sad day for democracy which relies on a fair and unbiased media which Trump Administration has threatened since day one. This is another act of Authoritarianism.
NPR admitted that 87 of 87 editorial staffers are registered democrats. They are the worst of legacy media – which nobody believes because of their socialist leanings. They will complain about the collapse of democracy when indeed we do not live in a democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic.
Is this like Biden trying to get rid of am radio in New vehicles?
“The truth”???
Katherine Maher CEO of NPR said “that our reverence for the truth might have become a distraction, that is preventing us from finding CONSENSUS!” That truth??
Fair and unbiased…..sorry too funny
I suggest Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana talk about headlines from CPB, PBS, NPR on Forbes News youtube from Feb 18, 2025.
Very enlightening!
I will tell you what I told Healthy Skeptic, if you like it send them money!
Public Radio is a nonprofit and therefore competes very well with other Alaska media. It should not be taxpayer subsidized.
Nothing is free…you want it then you pay for it!
Why? Public radio is far from a purveyor of truth, nor anything useful beyond some light entertainment. It needs to go the way of the dodo bird.
When did feeding starving children ibecome an unwelcome idealogy?
Whose children? We cannot save the world and they hate us anyway.
KJ, you sound like a real gem! Screw those kids and the Johnson they rode in on. I like your style!
Huh? What starving children and where? I reread the article …….?
It did Not become an unwelcome idea.
Feeding starving children in far away places is a noble endeavor, but it is NOT the function of the federal government according to our constitution.
There a many respectable charities out there, whose sole purpose and mission is to feed those starving children in far away lands. I suggest you pick one and send them money to support their work!
Now rescind the EPA, Commerce, USACE, Interior and Energy Agencies’ outlaws and dark money grift money laundered by USAID and Native Tribal entities
This!
Murkowski is the fault of Alaskan voters. She is an absolute disgrace. One of the differences in our Constitutional Republic is the Senate. It’s representation is undemocratic. While I might grouse about small state representation there are currently large states, like California, that have spurious Senators. Other states like Rhode Island has a gem in Jack Reed – even if I often disagree with him. Generally, low population states have slim pickings. Vermont, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Alaska are examples. I will note some small population states are well represented but, frankly, their voters are more careful. Most of the states mentioned will not change but Alaska can send Murkowski to the dust bin. Your move!
Remember…its a Republic.
Remember…its the Voters who decide.
Remember…it cant be Kenny’s way all the time.
Public radio is 99.9 percent private organization. we should not fund any private organizations. just lower taxes for all and let people donate to causes they believe in. pbs is just one of many. the spending is out of control. workforce in middle management should be halved and get rid of legacy debts that do nothing for the taxpayers.
Thanks you Congressman Begich!!
Thank you Begich. The state of Alaska knows that the evil witch Murkowski will never grow up and those that vote to put her in.
Thanks for the courage to do what needs to get done.
Thanks for continuing on the road of reason and a fiscal responsibility. We are not the giver of bread to the world and I hope that USAID is done and will never return.
NPR is a toilet of liberal views. Support for the favorite station of sign waving purple haired wildebeasts should have been cut long ago.
Since we spent ,what, 6k per resident on rural broadband ,PBS is no longer needed in the bush.
Gotta tell you, I love this guy Begich! The government has no power in the U.S. Constitution to tax We The People in order to appropriate monies in support of any news organization. Is NPR fair and unbiased? Well, certainly NOT during the 40+ years that I have tuned in to All Things Considered. Stop paying for it now!!
Good job, Nicholas. The Democrats have been feeding their left-wing programs with taxpayer’s subsidies for too long. For instance, NPR, which is a siren for Democrats. Your MBA has done you well!
The entire Begich Family is so proud!
Go Nicholas.
One thing for sure, NB3 isn’t crying “uncle.”
🤣🤣
These so called public radio companies have sold their souls to the evil left. Let them get their own funding if they are so darned important. Tired of leftist stealing federal money for their ideological crap. Fund it yourself or it goes away.
Thank you Congressman Begich!
Great move on The Nickster’s part. This is a good start. Keep going. Perhaps he could claw back the federal funding that is paying for the LA Insurrection and the No Kings “protest.”
Good START…. Thank you NB!
This is the first of several rescission bills to lock the DOGE cuts into law. Expect the next one after Aug 18. Note that rescission does not require 60 votes as filibuster does not apply. Will only take 51 to pass. Cheers –