The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is shuttering. PBS and NPR have lost some funding. Not everyone who voted for the rescissions package is happy about it. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, the children’s programming on PBS is more popular than your party — so if you’re a politician in search of a popular cause with little to no downside, why not glom on to one of the most beloved PBS characters and reinstate funding under the Daniel Tiger Act? 

Inspired by Sen. Josh Hawley’s Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act, something he introduced after voting for the “big, beautiful bill,” this could work for any congressperson, regardless of how they voted on the rescissions package that clawed back billions of dollars from foreign aid and public media.

Whoever runs on restoring public broadcasting funding, and focuses solely on the PBS Kids programming, will have an advantage in their next race. Kids who grew up with “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” are reaching voting age, and a recent study has shown how the lessons they learned from the program still reverberate. Attaching yourself to a character that makes children feel good about themselves and gives parents a respite is an undeniably smart move. 

Daniel Tiger is the ideal figurehead because he’s an animated animal that does not interact with living, breathing humans. It’s hard to say whether a tiger is a Democrat, Republican or a DEI hire. Daniel Tiger is a tiger.

Another benefit of attaching yourself to Daniel Tiger is he lives in the land of Make-Believe. The land of Make-Believe isn’t in a blue, red or purple state. 

Other PBS Kids shows are based in real places. “Molly of Denali” is set in Alaska, “Rosie’s Rules” is set in Texas, “Lyla in the Loop” is inspired by Philadelphia, and so forth. While it’s great for kids to see their hometowns on screen, it’s easier for opponents of children’s television to object to arbitrary show settings. The land of Make-Believe did not swing from Obama to Trump to Biden and back to Trump. It’s a make-believe world that can double as Anytown USA. 

Unlike some titles in the PBS Kids universe, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” has never moved its first-run episodes to a premium channel or streamer such as Peacock (like “Curious George”) or HBO or Netflix (like “Sesame Street”). 

An argument some have made is popular shows should be perfectly fine in the free market, on platforms that run commercials. Sure, some would have no problem finding a network willing to produce and distribute new episodes. But none would be able to air without commercials or a subscription fee. PBS Kids is the one service parents can use that doesn’t try to sell their kids pointless plastic toys that diminish what they learn. “Bluey” is wonderful, emotionally educational and entertaining, but its branded merchandise is impossible to avoid in any Target toy aisle. 

Most importantly, Daniel Tiger is the perfect figurehead because the show uses the exact same lessons Mister Rogers taught. Co-produced by Fred Rogers Productions, the program debuted 11 years after the end of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and nine years after Fred Rogers’ passing. The animated version of Daniel Tiger is the continuation of the groundbreaking show Fred Rogers made for 31 seasons that inspired countless scores of children to become better adults. 

The Daniel Tiger character is a Fred Rogers creation, possibly the most revered television show character in the history of the medium. It’s the same Fred Rogers who spoke at a congressional hearing about the importance of children’s television on May 1, 1969 (which recently went viral for the hundredth time for obvious reasons). 

What Rogers said to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications rings true today. Rogers spoke about how his show connected with children and families, why his program was different from cartoons and how the money from the CPB was used.

All of these sentiments were echoed at a House hearing this March titled “Anti-American Airwaves: Holding the Heads of NPR and PBS Accountable.” PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger spoke about the important service PBS Kids provides, especially in rural communities. She shared an anecdote from a rural rancher: “He pulled me aside and told me this: ‘We need PBS. We don’t live near a preschool. My children have learned to read [by] watching PBS shows, and the shows we watch on PBS are our connection to the rest of America.’”

The station that serves that rancher is in more danger of shuttering than any urban station. PBS and NPR affiliates in cities are doing pretty well, all things considered. According to The New York Times, roughly 120,000 new donors have contributed to public media in the last three months. 

Public television is popular, especially public television for kids. It may only be a matter of time before the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is rebuilt. This does not have to be a partisan issue. This is a winning issue. And it may only take one person on a ballot to realize they should make it a beautiful day in everyone’s neighborhood. 

Brandon Wetherbee is the editor of Recommend If You Like and co-author of “The Donald: How Trump Turned Presidential Politics Into Pro Wrestling.”