House passionately debates NPR funding

(NECN: Washington, D.C.) - The House of Representatives are voting on whether to use federal money to continue funding National Public Radio.

Last month, the House voted to cut funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR's parent organization. A new vote was set for NPR. The legislation would prevent local public stations from using federal money for NPR dues.

Representatives from both sides made their case on the House floor.

"When we get federal spending under control, the economy will be stronger and there will be more jobs," said the bill's sponsor, Colorado Republican Doug Lamborn. "That's why we're doing this."

"It's not going to save a single penny of taxpayer dollars. Not one," said Oregon Democrat Earl Blumenauer. He said it would harm smaller NPR stations first, and prohibit them from purchasing locally-produced content from other public broadcasting organizations.

The vote comes after two NPR executives resigned when hidden camera footage showed one of them calling the Tea Party movement racist. Conservatives had said the video is proof that NPR is biased and doesn't deserve federal money.


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