Washington (April 30, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today celebrated the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) release of public broadcasting grant money that the agency froze in February. Public broadcasting stations are essential for communicating with the public during emergencies, especially for reaching underserved and vulnerable individuals.

“We are pleased that FEMA has ended its freeze on critical grants to strengthen the resiliency of public broadcasting stations. Public broadcasters play a vital role in keeping communities informed during emergencies, especially in rural and underserved areas. While this decision is a victory for public safety, common sense dictates that these funds should not have been frozen in the first place. We will continue to ensure public broadcasters have the resources they need to deliver lifesaving information when disaster strikes.”

On April 15, 2025, Senators Markey and Murkowski sent a letter to FEMA Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton urging the agency to lift its freeze on grants that help improve the resiliency of public broadcasting stations.

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