WATCH: On Senate Floor, Kelly Opposes Trump-Backed Cuts to Public Broadcasting and Foreign Aid

“This isn’t how we move forward. It’s how we fall behind”

Last night, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took to the Senate floor to oppose the Trump-backed proposal to cut over $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—funding that supports local PBS and NPR stations—and $8.3 billion from international assistance programs, including food aid and global health initiatives. 

In his remarks, Kelly underscored the consequences of these cuts for families in rural and tribal communities in Arizona and warned of the national security risks of walking away from global leadership. 

Kelly warned the proposed cuts would gut educational programming families rely on: “What’s in front of us today is a proposal to totally decimate the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—which supports local PBS and public radio stations. These are the stations that air children’s educational programs like Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street, which help kids learn to count, read, and spell. […] It’s how parents in Arizona and all across the country give their children a head start, regardless of their zip code or income.” 

He highlighted the consequences for rural and tribal communities that rely on public radio for critical safety information: “In Arizona, my office is hearing from rural and Tribal leaders about how essential public TV and radio is in their communities. During wildfire season—which is raging right now in Arizona—those alerts can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. Public radio also delivers severe weather warnings, road closures, and critical public health information.” 

Kelly warned of the national security risks of slashing foreign aid: “USAID and our international partners are often the first line of defense against pandemics, wars, and starvation. You can’t put a price on that goodwill and the stability that these programs create for America. […] I saw that myself, when I was a young midshipman at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy during my second year at sea. It was voyage through the Red Sea was and I was carrying a load of grain, taking crops grown by American farmers to feed starving children in North Africa.”

Kelly closed by urging his colleagues to reject the package: “I urge my colleagues to think about what’s really at stake for families, and what’s at stake for our leadership in the world—and please vote no. Because this isn’t how we move forward. It’s how we fall behind.” 

Click here to view and download Kelly’s remarks.