Congressman Maurice Hinchey's (D-NY22) Statement on HR 1076, defunding NPR

[RoccoR5955]

Hinchey Fighting to Save NPR
Thursday, 17 March 2011 14:51
Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today voted against legislation that would prohibit federal funds for National Public Radio (NPR) and public radio programming. The legislation, H.R. 1076, was rushed to the floor, in violation of Speaker Boehner's promise for regular order, in an effort to appeal to a conservative base.

"NPR's funding makes up less than three thousandths of one percent of the annual budget deficit," said Hinchey. "This isn't about cutting the deficit - it's about an ideological vendetta against the programming that 34 million Americans enjoy and rely upon. Nearly 8 in 10 believe that public broadcasting should receive the same amount of government funding or more than it currently does. That's why I'm going to fight to prevent these cuts. NPR is the most balanced and trusted news source in America."

If signed into law, the bill would badly hurt NPR, as well as local public radio stations, three of which, WAMC, WSKG, and WJFF, broadcast into the congressional district Hinchey represents. Public radio stations, which rely on federal funds, will no longer be able to use the funds to broadcast programs like Morning Edition, This American Life, A Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk, All Things Considered, and many, many more beloved programs.

Hinchey is the founder and chairman of the Future of American Media Caucus in Congress and has been a leader in the effort to fight media consolidation and ensure fair and balanced coverage on America's public broadcast airwaves.

[northoftheborder]

1. I think this is part of a Repub. effort to.........

......push out for votes some issues lots of people feel strongly about, then use those issues as blackmail on the final budget busting.