Native American radio stations at risk as Congress looks to cut $1B in public broadcasting funding
July 15, 2025
Native American radio stations could face shutdowns if Congress cuts over $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Senate plans to vote this week on proposed funding cuts for 2026 and 2027, already approved by the House. Tribal stations are often the sole source of news, cultural programming and vital weather alerts in Indian Country. Radio industry leaders warn the cuts could leave millions without those essential services. Republicans who support the cuts say it helps address the national debt and that the public media system is politically biased. Critics say it will be locally owned public radio and television stations that will suffer most.