Federal Spending on Public Broadcasting: About $10 Million to Sesame Street, $455 Million to PBS/NPR

About 8 percent of Big Bird is paid for by the feds

How much money would Washington save if it stopped subsidizing Big Bird?

This question arises, of course, because during the presidential debate that's what Mitt Romney said he'd do if elected president. Asked what things he'd cut from the federal budget to help curb deficits, Mr. Romney mentioned the tax money that flows into the Public Broadcasting System. Then he got specific with moderator Jim Lehrer, a PBS star.