U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty was one of four Democratic lawmakers who abstained from a crucial vote concerning the future of funding for National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and international aid that had already received congressional approval.
Beatty, who serves Columbus and its neighboring areas, was absent during the narrow vote on June 11, which resulted in a 214-212 decision. During the vote, four Republican members, including Rep. Michael Turner from Dayton, sided with the Democrats in opposing the funding cuts.
In a statement released by her office, it was noted that Beatty missed the vote “due to a medical procedure that could not be delayed.” While further specifics about her health condition were not disclosed, her team reassured the public that the 75-year-old representative is in good health. Cassandra Johnson, her communications director, emphasized Beatty’s opposition to the Republicans’ rescissions bill and expressed her eagerness to return to Congress and defend her constituents once she recovers.
The absence of Beatty and her fellow Democrats was notably significant; had they participated and voted, the proposal would have been rejected.
This vote stemmed from President Donald Trump’s request to Congress to retract $9.4 billion in federal funding as part of cost-cutting measures initiated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. If passed in the Senate, this funding reduction would affect the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which finances NPR and PBS, as well as foreign aid organizations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Health Organization.
Democratic Representatives Donald Norcross of New Jersey, Emily Randall of Washington, and Lou Correa of California also missed the vote alongside Beatty. On the Republican side, Reps. Nicole Malliotakis of New York, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Mark Amodei of Nevada voted against the measure, while two Republican members did not participate.
Beatty has previously criticized efforts led by Trump and Musk to slash funding from USAID, describing these efforts as perilous policy decisions that jeopardize jobs and businesses in Ohio and beyond.
The rescissions package is now moving to the U.S. Senate, where it only requires a majority vote for passage, unlike most legislation that requires a higher threshold to overcome a filibuster.
These proposed funding cuts represent only a minor portion of the $175 billion that the Department of Government Efficiency claims to have eliminated from the federal budget. The White House has provided detailed justifications for each suggested cut, including the elimination of $500 million from USAID’s budget, which would impact critical health services for mothers and children, as well as treatment for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
As this legislative process continues, the focus remains on how these changes will affect public broadcasting and international aid efforts going forward.