Press Release
Congress responds to public outcry, restores partial funding for public broadcasting
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- In a 284 to 140 vote today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan amendment restoring $100 million in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. More than 80 Republicans broke rank and supported the amendment introduced by Reps. David Obey (D-Wis.), Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa).
Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott made the following statement:
"In recent days, millions of Americans have signed petitions, sent letters and called their representatives demanding restoration of full federal funding and an end to partisan interference in public broadcasting. In the face of overwhelming public pressure, a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives reversed course.
"Today's vote is a strong rebuke to the reactionary forces in Washington that have launched a double-fisted assault on the public broadcasting system -- attacking the content of its programs with one hand, while cutting its budget with the other.
"But the fight is not over yet. The appropriations bill being sent to the Senate still lacks more than $100 million needed for children's educational programming, satellite services and funds to defray the costs of the digital transition.
"The vast majority of citizens support federal funding of public broadcasting -- viewing it as among the most worthy uses of their tax dollars. The Senate should heed the will of the American people, restore full funding, and stop playing politics with public broadcasting."
Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott made the following statement:
"In recent days, millions of Americans have signed petitions, sent letters and called their representatives demanding restoration of full federal funding and an end to partisan interference in public broadcasting. In the face of overwhelming public pressure, a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives reversed course.
"Today's vote is a strong rebuke to the reactionary forces in Washington that have launched a double-fisted assault on the public broadcasting system -- attacking the content of its programs with one hand, while cutting its budget with the other.
"But the fight is not over yet. The appropriations bill being sent to the Senate still lacks more than $100 million needed for children's educational programming, satellite services and funds to defray the costs of the digital transition.
"The vast majority of citizens support federal funding of public broadcasting -- viewing it as among the most worthy uses of their tax dollars. The Senate should heed the will of the American people, restore full funding, and stop playing politics with public broadcasting."
