New York Senators Schumer, Gillibrand blast Republicans for passing $9B in cuts

WASHINGTON — New York’s two Democratic senators — Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand — spoke out Thursday against the passage of $9 billion in federal spending cuts to foreign-aid and public broadcasting programs.

The Republican-majority Senate, in a 51-48 vote, approved rescinding billions in funding previously approved by Congress, including $1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which oversees public radio and TV stations including PBS and NPR.

House Republican leaders were racing Thursday to set up a final vote on the package that passed the chamber last month by a two-vote margin.

Schumer, in a Senate floor speech, criticized Republicans for passing the cuts, saying voters will hold them to account for gutting public broadcasting funding, while voting earlier this month to pass a massive tax-and-spend bill that includes sweeping tax cuts that will benefit top income earners.

"When people see that Republicans just axed Sesame Street to pay for tax cuts to billionaires, when rural Americans see that Republicans not just betrayed them and defunded public radio — sometimes the only source in rural areas, so vital to natural disasters as the only news source there — the consequences will be severe," Schumer said.

Gillibrand, in a statement, said the cuts would have "a particularly devastating impact in rural communities" where news outlets are limited.

"Public broadcasters often serve as the only source of information about natural disasters, transportation accidents, national security threats, and public safety matters in areas that face limited connectivity," Gillibrand said. "At a time when misinformation is rampant, taking away this content is dangerous and irresponsible."

Last year, New York's public broadcasting TV and radio stations received a combined $45 million in funding — including $2.6 million for the public radio station WNYC that reaches New York City and Long Island, and about $11 million for WNET, the public television station that reaches most of the New York City metro area.

Congressional Republicans in support of rescinding the funds have argued the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — established by Congress in 1967 — is no longer needed in today’s media landscape, where consumers can choose from online and streaming services.

The package includes clawing back $8 billion in previously appropriated funding for the State Department to implement foreign aid programs.

Last month, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) helped secure passage of the rescission package in the House, when he switched his initial "no" vote to a "yes" vote along with another House Republican to give the package enough votes to make it to the Senate.

LaLota alluded to reporters then that his vote was tied to ongoing negotiations over the state and local tax deduction.

"Cutting the $9 billion is necessary, also making sure that my constituents get at least $40,000 in SALT relief is also very necessary," LaLota told reporters after the vote.

By Laura Figueroa Hernandez

laura.figueroa@newsday.com@Laura_Figueroa

Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.