Alma Adams Decries Funding Cuts To Public Broadcasting In Rescissions Bill

In House floor remarks on Thursday, Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) spoke about public broadcasting.

Transcript

00:00Ms. Adams.

00:01The general aide from North Carolina is recognized for one minute.

00:03I thank the gentleman for yielding.

00:05I rise today in opposition to the rule to consider the rescissions package of 2025

00:10and its reckless cuts to public broadcasting.

00:13You know, it's not hyperbole to say that public broadcasting saves lives

00:18during emergency situations and natural disasters.

00:21My state knows that firsthand.

00:23When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina last year,

00:27public broadcasting was there when traditional communications failed.

00:31Widespread power, cellular, and internet outages meant that for thousands of North Carolinians,

00:37public radio was how they received their news.

00:40Our local public broadcasting stations provided life-saving updates for our residents,

00:45broadcasted emergency resource information like food and water and distribution,

00:50and gave a direct line for North Carolinians to speak to their communities,

00:56slashing public broadcasting funding will limit their ability to operate funding crisis

01:01and delay critical information to the people who need it most.

01:05And make no mistake, without public broadcasting,

01:08we would have seen more lives lost in Helene.

01:12So we need to protect these stations so we can protect our communities,

01:16and I yield back.

01:17so thank you for that.

01:18All right.