Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 14: The U.S. Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement to allocate approximately $653 million to fund the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal agency that oversees international broadcasters including the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and others.
Lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate reached an agreement as part of a broader bipartisan spending bill released on Sunday.
According to the spending plan text, the bulk of the allocation, roughly $643 million, will go toward USAGM’s international broadcasting operations, with nearly $10 million earmarked for capital improvements such as broadcast infrastructure and distribution platforms.
The congressional decision marks a clear rejection of the previous administration’s push to defund and ultimately dismantle USAGM, which had been championed by former President Donald Trump and his advisors. Trump issued an executive order in early 2025, directing the agency to slash operations and eliminate staff. As a result, thousands of VOA employees were placed on administrative leave, and federal grants to RFE/RL and RFA were abruptly cancelled.
Supporters of the funding deal have described the congressional action as a necessary defense of press freedom and democratic values. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) highlighted that funding cuts could undermine key news services in critical regions, warning that “authoritarian regimes will fill the vacuum if U.S. international media is weakened.”
On the other side, some critics, including voices aligned with the former administration, have framed USAGM as a costly government enterprise. In a statement responding to the bill, Kari Lake, senior advisor to USAGM appointed by the Trump team, expressed “disappointment” at Congress allocating significantly more money than what the administration had requested, asserting that the agency can still “advance the president’s message” without the higher funding levels.
The funding agreement arrives amidst ongoing legal battles over USAGM’s operations. Following the 2025 executive order that triggered layoffs and funding freezes, multiple lawsuits were filed by journalists, contractors, and media advocates. At various points, federal judges ordered the resumption of funding and rehiring of employees; other court rulings placed stays on these reinstatements, leaving VOA and related outlets in a state of uncertainty throughout much of the past year.
The bipartisan spending bill, including the USAGM funding language, still requires final passage in both houses of Congress and must be signed into law. While the Republican-controlled House and Democratic Senate have previously cooperated on avoiding government shutdowns, political tensions over unrelated policy areas could influence the timing and content of the final package.
Once enacted, the measure will provide breathing room for VOA, RFE/RL, RFA, and related services to continue international programming and rebuild operational capacities trimmed during 2025.
