As soon as next week, the Senate may consider a package of appropriations bills that could determine whether about 115 local public radio and television stations survive. This is our moment to save the most vulnerable stations from closure and to prevent even more from being pushed to the brink. But we can’t do it without you.
Call Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla right now. Your outreach could help prevent roughly 115 of the most vulnerable public media stations – those most dependent on federal funding – from shutting down permanently.
You can place your calls using our patch-through tool or by directly calling Senators Adam Schiff at (202) 224-3841 and Alex Padilla at (202) 224-3553, and using this script:
Hi, my name is [first and last name], and I live in [city, state]. I’m calling to urge Senator [Last Name] to help save our local public media stations. Please tell them to support any proposal that restores local station funding and urge Senators Collins and Murray to include it in the FY 2026 appropriations package. These stations are vital to our communities. Thank you.
If you called your Senators' offices directly, let us know by replying to this message. If can't call, please send an email instead.
Some in our community have asked whether one voice can make a difference. It can – and it has. Together, those voices have kept Congress engaged and local station funding remains part of the federal funding debate.
The reality is many rural, Tribal, and small stations cannot survive without federal funding. Without it, entire communities could lose access to local news, life-saving information, and educational resources that support learners of all ages – from preschool-aged children to adults seeking new opportunities.
This is not the moment to step back. It’s the time to raise our voices louder than ever – before it’s too late. Call or email your Senators now. You can also spread the word on social media using the resources below.
Local public media stations are at risk of going dark. The Senate will begin debating funding within days. Tell your Senators to #SaveOurStations. https://bit.ly/3JrahVC
