H.R.1146 - No More Funding for NPR Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1146, the "No More Funding for NPR Act of 2025," aims to prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and its successor organizations. The bill rescinds any unobligated federal funds allocated to NPR for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. It includes an exception for funding during FEMA disaster response activities when disseminating urgent public safety information.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would eliminate federal funding for NPR, potentially impacting its programming and operations. Public broadcast stations that rely on federal funds might also be affected if they purchase programming from NPR. The bill could lead to a restructuring of NPR's funding model.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in government spending and national debt.
- Taxpayers may feel their money is being spent more efficiently.
- Could encourage NPR to seek alternative funding sources and become more independent.
- May lead to a more diverse media landscape if other news organizations benefit from the shift in funding.
- Potentially reduces perceived government influence over media content.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced funding for NPR could lead to a decrease in the quality or quantity of programming.
- Rural communities that rely on NPR for news and information may be disproportionately affected.
- Job losses within NPR and related organizations.
- Potential loss of access to educational and cultural programming for some audiences.
- May be perceived as a politically motivated attack on a news organization.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is complex. While Congress has the power of the purse (Article I, Section 8) and can generally decide how to allocate federal funds, some argue defunding NPR could infringe upon freedom of the press (Amendment I). The key question is whether defunding NPR constitutes an unconstitutional restriction on the dissemination of information and viewpoints.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).