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House votes to defund NPR

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The Washington Post
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House votes to defund NPR


By Felicia Sonmez
Updated 3:30 p.m.

After a contentious debate and over procedural objections from Democrats, the House on Thursday voted to prevent federal funds from going to National Public Radio.

The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), passed the House on a 228-to-192 vote, with one Republican voting present. All but seven Republicans voted for the measure, and all Democrats present voted against it.
The measure is unlikely to be taken up by the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House on Thursday issued a statement ?strongly opposing? the bill but stopping short of a veto threat.

The bill would ban any federal money from going to NPR, including funding through competitive grants from federal agencies and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. NPR receives about $5 million annually in such funds. The bill would also prohibit NPR?s roughly 600 member stations from using federal funds to purchase programming from NPR and to pay station dues.
The push to defund NPR follows the departure from the organization of its chief executive, Vivian Schiller, and its top fundraiser, Ron Schiller (no relation), in the wake of a hidden-camera video sting by conservative activists that showed Ron Schiller making controversial remarks about Republicans and tea party members.

Democrats argued that the bill would not actually lower the deficit and charged that Republicans were simply taking aim at NPR because they disagree with its content.

?This bill does not cut one dollar, one dime, one penny from the federal deficit,? McGovern said, adding that if the debate is about whether or not the American people should be forced to subsidize content they disagree with, federal funding of advertising on Fox News Channel should also be up for debate.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said that even if the measure were to pass the Senate and be signed into law ? the chances of which are close to zero ? NPR would continue to exist, but ?what it does is harm small, rural stations? that are dependent on federal funds.

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, called the bill a ?purely ideological bill so members can go home and brag about what they have done to NPR? when they return to their districts later Thursday for a week-long recess.

Several of the Republicans who spoke in favor of the measure said they personally enjoyed NPR but did not believe it should be funded through taxpayer dollars.

Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) said he appreciated some of NPR?s programming but added that ?half the American people have never even heard of, much less even listened to, NPR.?

Rep. Rich Nugent (R-Fla.) argued that those watching the House debate on Thursday were likely watching it on C-SPAN, which doesn?t receive federal funding.

?A lot of us like NPR,? he said, later adding: ?We?re not trying to harm NPR. We?re actually trying to liberate them from federal tax dollars.?

Just before a Thursday morning vote to consider the measure, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) raised a procedural objection to proceeding on the bill, arguing that the quick action on the proposal ? which was first posted on the Internet at 1:42 p.m. Tuesday ? violated House Republican leaders? pledge to post all bills online for 72 hours before bringing them to the floor.

?Did this bill age for 72 hours?? Weiner asked, waving a large blue posterboard bearing House Speaker John Boehner?s (R-Ohio) statement, ?I will not bring a bill to the floor that has not been posted online for 72 hours.?

Texas Republican Rep. Ted Poe, who was presiding over the chamber, replied that he would not respond to ?hypothetical questions.?

Jo Maney, a spokesperson for House Rules Committee Republicans, maintained that consideration of the measure did not violate the three-day rule because it was posted on Day 1, was in the Rules Committee on Day 2 and was on the floor on Day 3, with final passage set to take place 72 hours after the bill was first posted.

Democrats also objected to the bill being fast-tracked to the floor without being thoroughly debated in public committee hearings. The Rules Committee approved the measure on Wednesday in an ?emergency meeting.?

?The process in this House is awful,? Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) said. ?An emergency! Think it was about jobs? Think it was about health care? No! It was about defunding NPR.?

Republicans defended the process, arguing that the seven-page bill addresses a straightforward question.

?It?s basically a yes or no question,? Maney said. ?Do we continue taxpayer funding of NPR or not??

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:35 PM ET, 03/17/2011

Edited

Replies

22
Arkiehawg avatar
ArkiehawgBeach Fanatic
#2
Waste of energy. Won't make it past the senate and/or President. How about focusing on job creation now that they are in charge? Seems to be moving at a snails pace...
30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#3
Waste of energy. Won't make it past the senate and/or President. How about focusing on job creation now that they are in charge? Seems to be moving at a snails pace...

First they have to get last year's budget passed. :lol:
MrMentalFitness avatar
MrMentalFitnessBeach Fanatic
#4
Look, guys - this about making the BIG DECISIONS, okay? This about LEADERSHIP possessing enough guts to make the TOUGH CHOICES that nobody wants to face - can't you understand that?

This is exactly what the 2010 elections were all about - creating jobs, getting the economy back on track. NPR was obviously at the route of the worldwide economic collapse, and now that they'll have to rely on private funding we can all look forward to being showered with six-figure job offers, driving Bentleys, and squatting on golden toilet seats...

YouTube - Rep. Weiner : Crisis Averted! Click and Clack Defunded

Edited

AlphaCrab avatar
AlphaCrabBeach Fanatic
#5
Oh Yea--lets defund something that actually helps educates our citizenry and the Tea Party.... But do not touch the estimated one billion per week we are spending in Afghanistan. Makes solid sense!
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#6
Look, guys - this about making the BIG DECISIONS, okay? This about LEADERSHIP possessing enough guts to make the TOUGH CHOICES that nobody wants to face - can't you understand that?

This is exactly what the 2010 elections were all about - creating jobs, getting the economy back on track. NPR was obviously at the route of the worldwide economic collapse, and now that they'll have to rely on private funding we can all look forward to being showered with six-figure job offers, driving Bentleys, and squatting on golden toilet seats...

YouTube - Rep. Weiner : Crisis Averted! Click and Clack Defunded

:clap:No more Click and Clack! That video is the best!
BeachSiO2 avatar
BeachSiO2Beach Fanatic
#7
Interesting opinion piece from Juan Williams. Sour grapes? :idontno:

From The Hill...

WILLIAMS: Now it's time to defund NPR - TheHill.com

Even after they fired me, called me a bigot and publicly advised me to only share my thoughts with a psychiatrist, I did not call for defunding NPR. I am a journalist and NPR is an important platform for journalism.

But last week my line of defense for NPR ran into harsh political realities. Rep. Steve Israel (D- N.Y.) chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out a fundraising letter with the following argument for maintaining public funding of NPR:

?They [Republicans] know NPR plays a vital role in providing quality news programming ? from rural radio stations to in-depth coverage of foreign affairs. If the Republicans had their way, we?d only be left with the likes of Glenn Beck, Limbaugh and Sarah Palin to dominate the airwaves.?

With that statement Congressman Israel made the case better than any Republican critic that NPR is radio by and for liberal Democrats. He is openly asking liberal Democrats to give money to liberal Democrats in Congress so they can funnel federal dollars into news radio programs designed to counter and defeat conservative Republican voices....
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#8
AlphaCrab, does the Tea Party actually listen to NPR? I thought they listened to Fox News, Hannity and Rush.

If NPR does get cut from Fed funding, I guess the executives will have to cut their salaries, or maybe we can look forward to more of those fundraising moments on NPR. The executive who was recently fired, was caught on video saying that NPR didn't need federal funding to keep it going, as he was trying to recruit funding.

I frequently listen to NPR, and I used to donate, ... to "keep the great shows coming." However, many years ago, when I learned that the Fed Gov't funds them for any shortfalls, I stopped contributing. I would imagine many people are in that same boat. I'd also guess that many lovers of NPR, like myself, would be more likely to donate to keep the great programming coming if the Feds didn't prop them up.

Edited

Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#9
AlphaCrab, does the Tea Party actually listen to NPR? I thought they listened to Fox News, Hannity and Rush.

If NPR does get cut from Fed funding, I guess the executives will have to cut their salaries, or maybe we can look forward to more of those fundraising moments on NPR. The executive who was recently fired, was caught on video saying that NPR didn't need federal funding to keep it going, as he was trying to recruit funding.

I frequently listen to NPR, and I used to donate, ... to "keep the great shows coming." However, many years ago, when I learned that the Fed Gov't funds them for any shortfalls, I stopped contributing. I would imagine many people are in that same boat. I'd also guess that many lovers of NPR, like myself, would be more likely to donate to keep the great programming coming if the Feds didn't prop them up.

I will definitely continue to contribute to NPR. I wonder if NPR would be better off without govt funding and ties. May be one of those things that needs to happen. Operating under constant threats to pull Gov Funds by those who do not like your programming must be a real pain.
Abby Prentiss avatar
Abby PrentissBeach Fanatic
#10
I always thought they were extremely moderate and middle of the road.

Just more evidence of the dumbing down of America which is just the way they want us. Someone said the other day - NPR won't make the redio-listening sheep of America do anything, they're already taken.
Lake View Too avatar
Lake View TooSoWal Insider
#11
AlphaCrab, does the Tea Party actually listen to NPR? I thought they listened to Fox News, Hannity and Rush.

If NPR does get cut from Fed funding, I guess the executives will have to cut their salaries, or maybe we can look forward to more of those fundraising moments on NPR. The executive who was recently fired, was caught on video saying that NPR didn't need federal funding to keep it going, as he was trying to recruit funding.

I frequently listen to NPR, and I used to donate, ... to "keep the great shows coming." However, many years ago, when I learned that the Fed Gov't funds them for any shortfalls, I stopped contributing. I would imagine many people are in that same boat. I'd also guess that many lovers of NPR, like myself, would be more likely to donate to keep the great programming coming if the Feds didn't prop them up.


From my understanding, the Federal Government's contribution to NPR does not go the network itself nor does it go to fund the programming it produces. Rather, the money goes directly to the affiliates, the small radio stations that carry NPR, many of which are rural areas that don't have great access to a wide variety of media and broadband. De-funding will adversely affect these individual stations (increasing the dumbing-down of America), decrease the local programming that helps tie these communities together, but should not have too much impact on the national programming. It's an attack on the average rural listener/citizen much more than a blow to the liberal elite like the Republicans try to portray it.
idlewindBeach Fanatic
#12
Oh Yea--lets defund something that actually helps educates our citizenry and the Tea Party.... But do not touch the estimated one billion per week we are spending in Afghanistan. Makes solid sense!


How does NPR "educate our citizenry?" And why single out the tea party? Have they been removed from the "citizenry?" Face the facts, the federal government should not be funding entities that are also provided by private enterprise; in essence competing against private companies with their tax dollars. It is long overdue to defund NPR and PBS.
I agree with defunding Afghanistan (and Libya) as well.
Abby Prentiss avatar
Abby PrentissBeach Fanatic
#13
How does NPR "educate our citizenry?" And why single out the tea party? Have they been removed from the "citizenry?" Face the facts, the federal government should not be funding entities that are also provided by private enterprise; in essence competing against private companies with their tax dollars. It is long overdue to defund NPR and PBS.
I agree with defunding Afghanistan (and Libya) as well.

Your argument is flawed. Should we do away with public education because private companies also provide it?

The bottom line is that we can't "democratize" every aspect of our lives for fear we'll be come "socialized, or "european-ized". We should as a society decide we want to do some things for the common good and education, art, literature, parks, roads, science, etc. should be part of it.
LuciferSam avatar
LuciferSamBanned
#14
From my understanding, the Federal Government's contribution to NPR does not go the network itself nor does it go to fund the programming it produces. Rather, the money goes directly to the affiliates, the small radio stations that carry NPR, many of which are rural areas that don't have great access to a wide variety of media and broadband. De-funding will adversely affect these individual stations (increasing the dumbing-down of America), decrease the local programming that helps tie these communities together, but should not have too much impact on the national programming. It's an attack on the average rural listener/citizen much more than a blow to the liberal elite like the Republicans try to portray it.

I remember the Iron Curtain. This time the curtain is made out of tea bags. The "Jasmine Curtain" maybe???? We need some kind of radio-free okieville.
Geo avatar
GeoBeach Fanatic
#15
NPR will be fine. I'm not against the cuts. But I am sour that Republicans (in name only) ran on a platform of fiscal sense and job creation but their focus is on abortion, organized labor and only symbolic cuts in spending.

I so wish I had a real republican to vote for. We need one.
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#16
NPR will not be hurt by this. They have a strong fan and funding base and produce high quality programming that appeals to a broad range of people.

Many people who live in rural areas will be, as the funding that was cut helped small radio stations buy programming.

Another slap at the blue collar folks who actually work to keep this country going and are struggling.
idlewindBeach Fanatic
#17
Your argument is flawed. Should we do away with public education because private companies also provide it?

The bottom line is that we can't "democratize" every aspect of our lives for fear we'll be come "socialized, or "european-ized". We should as a society decide we want to do some things for the common good and education, art, literature, parks, roads, science, etc. should be part of it.


I do not want to do away with public education, but I do think that the federal (and state) governments should get out of it. The education system should be the purview of the local school board. If the state and feds were not draining tax dollars the locals could tax at the rate necessary to fund the type of system the local community needs. And locals would do a better job at employee relations and educational standards.
I am not" demonizing" anything, I just think some things are better done by private concerns instead of government. The goal should be excellence.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#18
From my understanding, the Federal Government's contribution to NPR does not go the network itself nor does it go to fund the programming it produces. Rather, the money goes directly to the affiliates, the small radio stations that carry NPR, many of which are rural areas that don't have great access to a wide variety of media and broadband. De-funding will adversely affect these individual stations (increasing the dumbing-down of America), decrease the local programming that helps tie these communities together, but should not have too much impact on the national programming. It's an attack on the average rural listener/citizen much more than a blow to the liberal elite like the Republicans try to portray it.
That all sounds good on paper, but it has been said that the rural people don't listen to NPR. They are teabaggers, right?
Lake View Too avatar
Lake View TooSoWal Insider
#19
That all sounds good on paper, but it has been said that the rural people don't listen to NPR. They are teabaggers, right?

Teabaggers can listen if they want, but usually they are too busy shouting. They are probably inclined to not listen, because they just might learn something that is contrary to their prejudices.
LuciferSam avatar
LuciferSamBanned
#20
Teabaggers can listen if they want, but usually they are too busy shouting. They are probably inclined to not listen, because they just might learn something that is contrary to their prejudices.

You said a mouthful.:leaving:

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