AEMI Public Media Unions Denounce Passage of Rescissions Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2025 - Last week, Congress voted to approve H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, which revokes $1.1 billion in already-approved funding for public media. 

The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries (AEMI) unions within the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO that have members who work in public media released the following statement in response to the vote:

“We denounce the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025, which claws back already approved funding for public media, including, PBS, PBS Kids, NPR and small noncommercial stations across the country. 

Rescinding public media funds is a radical act that will immediately impact the members of our unions who work on-air and behind-the-scenes to support and enrich their communities, many of whom rely on these stations for critical access to news, local information, and free educational content. More than 19,000 people who work in public radio and broadcasting now face an uncertain future with looming job losses and economic pain, with rural America slated to be hit the hardest by these cuts. 

At the same time, today is not the last word. We will keep making the case for public media because we know its economic value and the importance it plays in everyday Americans’ lives.”

The AEMI unions with members working in public media include:

• American Federation of Musicians (AFM)

• Directors Guild of America (DGA)

• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

• Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)

• Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)

• Writers Guild of America East (WGAE)

About the AEMI

The Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries (AEMI) coalition is made up of 12 national unions that represent professionals in the arts, entertainment, and media industries and is led by DPE. The AEMI is the leading voice in the labor movement on public policy in the arts, entertainment, and media industries.

About DPE

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.