Democrats across New York on Friday pounded House Republicans for voting to cut nearly $1.1 billion in previously approved funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, saying the early-morning, narrow vote sacrifices shows like Sesame Street for tax breaks to the nation's most wealthy. 

The Republican-led House passed President Donald Trump's request to rescind about $9 billion in foreign aid and other spending, including more than $1 billion dedicated to supporting public television and radio stations, including National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Having already received Senate approval, the measure now goes to the president's desk. 

Appearing Friday with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan portrayed the vote to cut public media funding as a betrayal. He framed it as an attack not only on the "core of a free democracy," but also on Elmo, Big Bird and Sesame Street, whom he said had brought joy to Americans over the years.

"We can all remember Mr. Rogers making the case when they tried to cut this before, and I wish he had been here again to do it. And they did cut $1 billion from that while adding over $4 trillion to our deficit," Ryan told a crowd.

It was a line of attack used by others on Friday, even if it was unlikely to derail a president who says the public media system is politically biased and an unnecessary expense. The nearly $1.1 billion represents the full amount budgeted for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting over the next two years.

Public media stations across New York receive federal grants that in some cases amount to about 15% of their operating budget. Station owners and CEOs said recently they would face tough choices if the funding is revoked.

Rep. Joe Morelle on Friday said the legislation poses direct threats to Rochester’s WXXI News, and endangers free and educational TV, accessible emergency alerts and local sports coverage.

“Once again, House Republicans are rubber-stamping reckless and cruel spending cuts that will have a direct impact on communities like ours,” Morelle said. “Ripping away free educational resources like Sesame Street does nothing to improve the lives of our children and does not move us any closer to solving the real challenges our families face.

"This bill doesn’t just target national NPR or PBS," Rep. Paul Tonko said Friday. "By law, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting sends over 70% of its funding to local stations. These cuts directly threaten those stations, their communities, and the trusted local journalism and programming they deliver."

Rep. Tim Kennedy released a statement Friday, saying in part: “These cuts threaten the future of local journalism, educational programming, and life-saving emergency notification systems. For generations, children have learned their ABCs and 123s from PBS programs like Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and so many others, and in countless communities, NPR remains the only trusted source for local news. This reckless Republican rescissions package rips away vital funding that safeguards our communities, enriches our culture, and provides all families with high-quality, accessible educational programs.”