PBS and NPR face an uncertain future after the Senate voted to slash funding to the public broadcasters — leading the heads of both companies to make dire warnings about looming changes.
NPR CEO Katherine Maher gathered rattled staffers Thursday for a closed-door meeting at their Washington DC, office, shortly after the early-morning vote by the GOP-controlled Senate clawed back roughly $9 billion in spending for foreign aid, NPR and PBS.
The House has until Friday to seal their fate and send it to President Trump‘s desk, who is expected to sign the legislation.
Roughly $1.1 billion of the targeted cut would defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the nonprofit that funds NPR — home to flagship shows “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” — and PBS, the decades-long carrier of “Sesame Street” and Ken Burns documentaries.
NPR CEO Katherine Maher led a 30-minute meeting Thursday, addressing network staffers ahead