Washington (January 5, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Board of Directors officially voted to dissolve the organization.
“Today’s decision to dissolve the Corporation for Public Broadcasting marks a grave loss for the American public. For generations, CPB helped ensure access to trusted news, quality children’s programming, local storytelling, and vital emergency information for millions of people in Massachusetts and across the country. CPB nurtured and developed our public broadcasting system, which is truly the crown jewel of America’s media mix. The dissolution of CPB is a direct result of Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican allies' reckless crusade to destroy public broadcasting and control what Americans read, hear, and see.
“This fight is not over. I will continue to fight for public media and oppose authoritarian efforts to shut down dissent, threaten journalists, and undermine free speech in the United States of America.”
Senator Markey has aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration’s efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media.
- In September, Senator Markey, Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led seven of their colleagues in writing to Chairman Carr urging the FCC to cease its censorship of media organizations. Senator Markey then went to the Senate floor to ask unanimous consent to pass a resolution condemning Chairman Carr for his censorship of Kimmel. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) objected without any explanation.
- In July, Senator Markey wrote to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone, demanding answers on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” specifically requesting whether anyone in the Trump administration asked for the show to be cancelled.
- In May, as Paramount was reportedly pushing for the settlement to help facilitate approval of its merger, Senators Markey and Luján wrote to Chairman Carr requesting that the FCC hold a full Committee vote on the Paramount-Skydance merger. After Paramount announced its settlement with Trump, Senators Markey and Luján wrote to FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, urging the FCC to hold a full Commission vote on the pending merger.
- In March, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Rosen introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the FCC from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast.
- In February, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), wrote to Chairman Carr and then-Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding the FCC’s recent, politically motivated actions against broadcasters and public media.
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