Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) urged Republicans to pass a law defunding PBS and NPR because he feared Democrats would soon take back control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections.
During a Wednesday interview on the Christian-centric Washington Watch program, Burchett told host Tony Perkins that his show "wouldn't want" to receive federal dollars like public broadcasting stations.
"You don't want those idiots telling you what, up here, telling you what to do," the lawmaker opined. "I mean, if it was our idiots, it'd be OK. But when their idiots are back in control... And if we're not careful, we're fixing to hand it right back to them."
"These post offices are not going to name themselves," he continued. "I realize we've got valiant work to do in that department. But dadgummit, let's start moving this stuff through committees."
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Burchett urged viewers to "call your congressman, call your senators, say I don't need any more hearings."
"I want that bill on the floor," he remarked. "I want President Trump signing it. I don't want to see it in the courts anymore."
"God gave us an incredible gift in this country," Burchett added. "And look, I don't want Donald Trump teaching my daughter's Sunday school class. But dadgum, I love him. I want him as my president."
"Let's defund this stuff right now."
