While a very divided Congress took a recess this week, demonstrators have been gathering in front of capitol buildings and representatives’ offices in response to the GOP’s proposed spending cuts. Todd Zwillich, the Takeaway’s Washington correspondent has the latest in the federal budget battle and whether we should worry about a government shutdown. Budget cuts have been proposed by Democrats and Republicans along ideological lines. Republicans have proposed cutting funding for Planned Parenthood; defunding healthcare; cutting off EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases, clean water, clean air. Democrats want to cut subsidies to big oil companies and wasteful defense spending. Will the standoff over the budget lead to a government shutdown?
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.