Senator Schmitt Opposes PBS Subsidies for 'Nonsense' Programming

Opposition to PBS Funding

• ❌ Senator Eric Schmitt opposes the amendment to prevent cuts to public television funding, stating that taxpayer money should not subsidize programming.
• 💡 He argues that claims of defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will prevent children's educational programming are false.

Concerns Over Content

• 🏳️‍🌈 Schmitt specifically decries PBS programming that he believes glorifies radical gender ideology in schools or encourages children to defund the police.
• 📚 As an example, he cites a children's learning segment promoting a book titled "The Hips on the Drag Queen, goes swish, swish, swish."
• 💰 He asserts that this is not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars and that eliminating federal subsidies does not ban public stations from airing kids' programming.

Political Agenda vs. Education

• 🎯 Schmitt contends that the amendment is not about protecting children's education but about protecting a political agenda funded by taxpayers.
• 🚫 He urges colleagues to vote no on the amendment.

Argument for Continued Funding

• 📺 Senator Ed Markey advocates for the amendment, emphasizing that public television serves as the children's television network from 7 AM to 5 PM daily.
• 🌍 He highlights that PBS delivers free, entertaining, and educational programming for all children, regardless of race or income, featuring shows like Arthur, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and more.
• 📉 Markey warns that the proposed Republican bill cuts would cause stations airing essential children's programming to go dark, disproportionately affecting children and families in rural and low-income communities.
• 💔 He calls defunding the CPB a betrayal of these children and urges a vote to keep the Children's Television Network on the air.