Birmingham’s public radio station, WBHM, will lose 10% of its annual operating budget under a bill passed by Congress early Friday.

Lawmakers voted to rescind $1.1 billion in funds for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“Community support has always been the backbone of public media, and now it’s everything,” WBHM executive director Will Dahlberg said.

“Following the decision by Congress to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, WBHM and public media stations across the country enter into an uncharted future.

“This is a devastating decision for the millions of people who rely on public media every single day, including those in and around the heart of Alabama.”

Dahlberg said the bill, backed by President Trump, would leave WBHM with a nearly $400,000 budget gap over the next two years.

“While there is a lot to figure out in the days ahead, the commitment of the WBHM team to serve our community will not change, even if the formula for how we carry out that mission does,” Dahlberg said.

Wayne Reid, executive director of Alabama Public Television, said APT would lost just over $2.8 million, about 13% of its budget.

The bill cancelled a total of $9 billion – the money for public broadcasting plus $7.9 billion in foreign aid.

Republicans were almost unanimous in passing the bill by narrow margins over united opposition from Democrats.

The bill passed the House 216-213 early Friday.

Alabama’s five Republican members – Reps. Robert Aderholt, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, Mike Rogers, and Dale Strong – all voted in favor of the bill.

“I’ve long called for NPR’s funding to be cut – your taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to promote left-wing propaganda. I am proud to work with my Republican colleagues to restore fiscal sanity,” Strong posted on social media.

The two Democrats – Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell – voted no.

All but two Republicans voted in favor of the bill and all Democrats opposed.

Friday was the deadline to pass the bill, or the funds would have been released.

The Senate had passed the bill 51-48 on Thursday. Alabama Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville voted in favor of it.

It goes to Trump, who can sign it into law.