Rep. Mark Harris, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina, used his social media account to criticize several federally funded organizations and call for legislative action regarding federal education agencies.
On July 23, 2025, Harris posted on X: “USAID NPR PBS Department of Education, we’re coming for your waste, fraud, and abuse in our next rescissions package!” The post specifically named the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), National Public Radio (NPR), and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) as targets alongside the Department of Education.
Later that day, Harris continued his criticism with another post stating: “It’s time to REVOKE the NEA’s federal charter. Thanks for helping me lead the fight!” This message referred to efforts to end the National Education Association’s (NEA) federal charter.
On July 24, 2025, Harris announced an upcoming appearance with commentator Benny Johnson: “Coming up soon with @BennyJohnson! Tune in!”
The posts reflect ongoing debates in Congress over federal funding priorities and oversight of public institutions. In recent years, some lawmakers have called for cuts or restructuring of agencies such as USAID—responsible for administering civilian foreign aid—and publicly funded media outlets like NPR and PBS. These calls are often tied to broader discussions about government spending and perceived inefficiencies within certain programs.
The mention of a “rescissions package” refers to a legislative tool used by Congress to cancel previously allocated funds from federal budgets. Proposals targeting agencies like the Department of Education typically arise during budget negotiations or efforts aimed at reducing government expenditures.
The NEA is one of the largest labor unions representing educators in the United States. Revoking its federal charter would be largely symbolic but could signal shifting attitudes toward national teachers’ organizations among some policymakers.
