Congresswoman Schrier Blasts Republicans for Reckless Cuts to Public Broadcasting, Foreign Assistance

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) issued the following statement on the House passage of President Trump’s request to cancel $9 billion in congressionally appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and essential foreign assistance, including global health and food programs.  

“Once again, Republicans are blindly following President Trump at the expense of their own constituents. For years, Republicans and Democrats worked together to secure funding for programs we all agreed were essential for our constituents and the country, but now Republicans are disregarding their own decisions and undermining the authority of Congress to make critical funding decisions. 

“Under the cover of night, Republicans passed a harmful rescissions package that will gut funding for local broadcasting in rural communities across our state and make our country less safe by cutting essential foreign aid programs. This comes on the heels of the passage of their Big Ugly Bill that will rip away health care from millions, leave kids and seniors hungry, and bankrupt our country — all to give giant tax breaks to billionaires. 

“I cannot understand how Republicans can think that selling off Sesame Street will lower the cost of living for Washingtonians. Amid these reckless, Republican-led cuts, I will keep fighting to protect the funding and programs that all Americans rely on.”