Congress narrowly approved early Friday a bill to rescind $9 billion in federal spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting, cuts that will affect Alabama Public Television, the nation’s oldest statewide public TV network.

The bill, backed by President Trump, will stop $7.9 billion for foreign aid and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting.

Wayne Reid, executive director for Alabama Public Television, said APT will lose just over $2.8 million in restricted and unrestricted grant funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which is about 13% of the total annual budget.

“We are currently reviewing all aspects of our operations in light of this change,” Reid said.

“Much of the CPB funding helped support shared system-wide costs such as music licensing and program distribution. We expect to hear from PBS next week regarding their response and future, which will help guide our next steps.

“While we do carry many popular national programs, our mission is on Alabama focused programming.”

APT released a longer statement on its website, saying it would continue to offer educational programming, and content focused on public safety and civic awareness.

APT said the Capitol Journal news program, which covers the Legislature and state politics, will continue.

In addition, APT will launch in August a new program covering high school football that will air on Thursday nights.

“We understand that difficult decisions will need to be made in the weeks and months ahead,” APT said. “However, we will remain focused on our core mission of public service and delivering programming that informs, educates, and inspires.”

APT launched in 1955, nearly 15 years before PBS.

The U.S. House passed the bill early Friday by a vote of 216-213.

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

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.

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

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

The Associated Press reported that it was the first time in decades that a president has convinced Congress to rescind its spending decisions.

“We need to get back to fiscal sanity and this is an important step,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.