Government Affairs Update: Public Media Funding Cut, Education Funds Delayed, Arts Funding Update

The political landscape in Washington, DC continues to evolve daily. Chorus America needs to hear from you: How are the federal government’s actions affecting your work? All stories of specific impact are welcome. Please share your experience here. Thank you to those members who have already shared their stories with us. 

Visit our Government Affairs Resource Page for more tools.

These government affairs updates are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Nonprofit arts organizations should consult with legal counsel for guidance specific to their circumstances.

Congress Cuts Funding for Public Media

Congress just passed the Rescission Act of 2025, which takes back $1.1 billion that was previously approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for 2026 and 2027. CPB supports PBS and NPR.

This funding was already approved by Congress—but at the President’s request, lawmakers voted to cancel it. That decision raises serious questions about whether Congress’s funding decisions can truly be relied on if they can be reversed later.

According to CPB, these cuts will hit local public media stations hard, especially in rural areas.

👉 Want to help? Take action by donating to your local PBS TV station and local NPR radio station.

Education Funds Delayed – Summer Programs Affected

As of July 1, the U.S. Department of Education and White House budget office (OMB) are withholding federal funds that were supposed to go to state education departments. The Administration says it’s pausing payments to review how they align with new priorities.

But in the meantime, schools and programs—especially summer learning programs—are being left without the funding they were promised. Some have already had to cancel or delay activities.

Chorus America has joined hundreds of organizations calling on the Department of Education and OMB to release these funds immediately.
 

👉 See the letter from the coalition partners here.
👉 Read the letter from Senate Republicans asking for the funds’ release here.

👉 Add your voice: Ask officials to release this urgent education funding here. 

What’s Happening with the NEA and the Arts Budget?

Every year, the federal government creates a new budget. It starts with the President’s proposal, and then Congress decides how the money is actually spent through a process called appropriations.

This year, the President suggested eliminating funding for key cultural agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

However, on June 15, a House subcommittee recommended, with no Democratic votes, to give $135 million each to the NEA and NEH for 2026 (a 35% cut from current funding levels).  The process isn’t over yet—both the full House and Senate need to propose and vote on final spending levels for FY26.  In other words, there is still opportunity to advocate against any proposed cuts to the cultural agencies.

👉 Tell your Members of Congress to protect arts funding – Take Action Here.